Stock Makers?????????????????????

[manofthe45]

I recently removed a black walnut from my property.  I have several longer lenghs That I have rough cut with the chain saw square.  I plan on useing them for a couple contender grips and forearms.  My ? how long do I need to allow them to dry before beginning.  I guess I am asking if this can be my winter project or due I need to wait till middle of next year.  Thanks

[Keith L]

How thick are the blanks?  I am not a stock maker, but do work a little wood.  I normally paint the end grain to slow the drying and prevent cracking (wood folks call it checking), then wait a year per inch of thickness before trying to work it.  If you know someone with a moisture meter that can measure the dryness of the wood perhaps you can speed that up.  My guess is you have several years wait.  I date my home made wood, and try to have some drying for use each year.

It is really satisfying to make things from wood you cut yourself!

[LONGTOM]

If the tree was still alive when it was cut you a looking at a long time. Three years minimum, that's provided you can put it someplace that is warm & dry. Outside in the air you are looking at five years minimum. I have some that was in an old barn up next to a metal roof for seven years and it is good to go. Even if the tree was dead you are still looking at three years. Don't rush it, you will be sorry. Wood that thick needs a long time after being cut to a rough blank to acclimate to the environment around it and to give it time to go through all of the fiber changes that occur while it is drying. The last thing you want to do is spend good money on wood that is not completely stable, hence a warped stock.
I have a few blanks that I cut off our farm eleven years ago that has been air drying all this time and they are just now ready to use. It is not uncommon to see stock blanks that have been air dried for twenty years or more. This is defiantly not a winter project!


LONGTOM

[Keith L]

At least not this winter.

[Rangr44]

Unless you know someone with a wood kiln, that is. 

In any regard, I would seal the ends of the blanks with a heavy coat of melted parafin wax.

.

[clodbuster]

I cut my blanks to rough size 4" longer and 1/2" thicker than finished size.  You must seal the ends or forget it, they are going to split.  If you have a dehumidifier lay the blanks in front of it after they have air dried for 2-3 months.  Even an ordinary fan will speed drying a lot.  you will have at least a year or two to wait to get them down to around 8-9 % moisture where you need have them to work well.  You can calculate moisture by cutting a cube of wood that you can weigh on a powder scale or some other very accurate scale.  After weighing put it in the oven at 300 for 2 hours then weigh it again and do the math. subtract the little number for the big one and divide the difference by the big number. Ouila the % moisture!