Over the last two weeks I have scored a full-size Toyota pick up truck full 
of cherry and a second full load of red oak. Though we are losing trees in 
the Atlanta area at a pace that rivals the Amazon, it is rare that I make 
this kind of a score of this quality of wood.

The cherry was a downtown Atlanta yard tree so it had some low lying 
branches but its clear diameter is as big as 12-14" on some of the logs I 
have. I also have the butt portion that was probably 30" in diameter but 
comprised two trunks that had grown together (as noted by the faint bark 
line between the two).

The red oak (I believe red oak because though wet it is reddish and smells 
like vomit) is 18-20" in diameter and close to straight as a ruler. Though 
some of the logs have old branch scars that have partially grown over.

My question, partially based upon my desire to collect other peoples 
thoughts as well as based upon some laziness on my part, is what do I do 
with this? The lengths that I have are 2 foot long upon average. I thought 
some spokeshaves, shaker boxes, jewelry boxes, tool handles, mantel clock, 
knife block, and cutting board with the cherry. As for the oak, maybe a 
stool or two, some spare billets saved for legs and spindles.

It probably sounds like I have thought on it a bit, but I hope some of you 
realize the dire straight I'm in. This is the make it or break it time with 
SWMBO. After collecting all this wood (as well as other loads of stuff I 
haven't mentioned) I need to make something fast or else the wrath of SWMBO 
will descend upon me. You see unfortunately I live in a hoighty toighty 
subdivision and I am considered the odd one already. She's getting a bit 
upset at my tree, log, and branch collection.

Your help would be welcome.

Scott Garrison
Duluth GA

P.S.  - as for drying the wood, I do have other oak and cherry of similar 
size that has been dried, so I have no problem with the bait and switch 
method. In other words I will use my old wood and let her believe that I am 
giving her tribute from the new stock.

Scott Garrison  Wrote:

>is what do I do 
>with this? 

Hi Scott,

I inherited some similar wood, I have not done anything with the cherry 
but here are some of the things I used the red oak (which is roughly 2x4 
size and 3' long) for:

1. A shooting board. Red oak edge glues up nicely w/o warping.

2. A "low" or "ripping" bench. I included some dog holes so I can clamp a 
board and use a rip saw. It's about 24" high so I can get a good angle on 
the saw. I also made this bench with a hand hole for easy carrying and 
more important I used no metal. That lets me throw a suspect piece of 
wood on top and scan it with a metal detector. It's also great for a seat 
for any visitors that might show up and chew the fat.

3. A base for my machinists vise. Constructed with a "fence" that hangs 
down so I can clamp it with my bench vise. I rarely use this type of vise 
so I keep it out of the way until needed. I plan to make a similar base 
for my tailed bench grinder.

I also plan to make a kitchen butchers block with either the red oak or 
the cherry.

Hope this helps!

Wm. "Bill" Brady, Harwood MD 38°51'30"N 76°41'00"W - Its in the darkest 
hour that the most stars come out.

On 13 Mar 2002, at 13:43, Scott Garrison wrote:

> My question, partially based upon my desire to collect other peoples
> thoughts as well as based upon some laziness on my part, is what do I
> do with this? The lengths that I have are 2 foot long upon average. I
> thought some spokeshaves, shaker boxes, jewelry boxes, tool handles,
> mantel clock, knife block, and cutting board with the cherry. As for
> the oak, maybe a stool or two, some spare billets saved for legs and
> spindles.

With respect to the red oak:

A very long time ago, John Gunterman defined a group project for a
shaker basket. A bunch of us made these, and some of us made a bunch of
them (six, in my case). Everyone in my wife's family has one, so they
work pretty well as gifts and at keeping SWMBOs happy. Good for holding
seed packets, random pieces of paper she does not want to throw away,
etc. Here's what it looks like in red oak:

http://www.calast.com/personal/ken/shaker.jpg

The interesting thing here is there's lots of stuff to practice -
dovetailing, for one, and steam bending for another. Red oak steam bends
really well - I'm getting ready to do another bending project with it.

DAMHIKT hint for this one - miter the last dovetail, where the groove
for the bottom is. Hey, it was a long time ago.

-Ken

Ken Greenberg IT #321; Blue Galoot #82 400 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos,
CA 95032 http://www.calast.com/ken/Personal/wood.htm

On Wed, Mar 13, 2002 at 01:43:33PM -0500, Scott Garrison wrote:

> The red oak (I believe red oak because though wet it is reddish and smells 
> like vomit) is 18-20" in diameter and close to straight as a ruler. Though 
> some of the logs have old branch scars that have partially grown over.

Red oak smells like ammonia as it dries.
 
> My question, partially based upon my desire to collect other peoples 
> thoughts as well as based upon some laziness on my part, is what do I do 
> with this? The lengths that I have are 2 foot long upon average. I thought 

Make some split log benches like the ones Roy uses for chopping, sawing
and sitting.  If the misses doesn't like them or they fall apart due to too
much shrinkage, you still have half logs and billets which can be used for
something else!  If the Buckheadites hear about your 'rustic' furniture you 
may be the toast of the town. :-)

Jerry
With more wood than time...
-- 
Jerry Davis
Griffin, GA

I received a number of ideas from people on this both public and
private. thanks to everyone

Scott Garrison Duluth GA

>