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273639 John M. Johnston <jmjhnstn@m...> 2021‑05‑08 Chair from a tree
Galoots assembled,
I’ve a lovely old white oak tree in my yard that is suffering from massive root
rot and will be taken down May 25th. It measures about 36 inches in diameter
near the base and has a couple of good long straight runs in the trunk where
there are no branches.

Ever since my Peace Corps days in the early Seventies, the Whole Earth Catalog,
and the publication of the first edition of Alexander’s Making a Chair From a
Tree (3rd edition due in July), I’ve wanted to make a chair from a tree.

While I’ve built lots of 18th century fine furniture, I’ve never done any green
wood working.  I’m sure I could get the arborist to cut a 5 foot long log from a
straight segment of the trunk, so that would be the starting point.  I ordered
the 2nd edition DVD of Making a Chair From a Tree to get an overview of the
process, necessary tools, etc.

 Am I out of my mind to consider such a project?
Your collective wise counsel is appreciated.

Cheers,

John M. Johnston

“P.S. If you do not receive this, of course it must have been miscarried;
therefore I beg you to write and let me know.” - Sir Boyle Roche, M.P.
273643 Ed Minch <edminch3@g...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
such a big log will be hard to split by hand, but once it is worked down, let
the fun begin

Ed Minch
273640 James Crammond 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
John,

Rest assured, you are of sound mind to consider this.  Many new skills to learn,
research to do, tools to acquire and fun to be had.  Be careful, though,
chairmaking from green wood is a rabbit hole that may occupy your time for a
while.

Jennie Alexander's chair is a pretty refined example of a post and rung chair.
JA, Peter Follansbee and Brock Jobe ( I think ) wrote an article for an antique
journal ( possibly Chipstone) that explores the regional and ethnic variations
of these chairs that may be of interest to you from a living history
perspective.

Have fun,

Jim Crammond
273642 Brian Welch <brian.w.welch@g...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
I think you would be out of your mind to not do it.

You should also buy the book How to make a coopered wooden bucket if you
have all that white oak.

I’m starting down the path of green woodworking and loving it. I have some
white oak air drying that should have been prepped better at the time but
life got in the way but will eventually be a chair and some buckets.

Brian
273645 Paul Honore <lawnguy44@g...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
Peter Follansbee's blog has lots of info and videos on this; here's a 
sample:

https://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2021/04/15/splitting-planing-video/


Paul H.

on 5/8/2021 7:47 AM, John M. Johnston wrote:
273646 Tom Dugan <tom_dugan@h...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
Yeah, I have some experience in these matters. Before you can do any crafting
comes the grunt work.

'Twas many - many! - years ago, somewhere in the 90s, that I had to have a giant
oak taken down in our front yard. Ours was a beautiful red oak, and "only" about
30" dbh, that had shaded the yard for decades. I had them leave an 8' section,
and by the time I was done with the initial split, I'd quadrupled my supply of
steel wedges as well as crafting a number of gluts. It was a stringy, wretched
tree. Even after I'd gotten it "split" over half way, I needed to employ a
scissors jack to pry the halves apart, all the while taking an ax to the
"strings", which were splinters a quarter inch or more thick.

I hated that tree. Did I mention that this was in the middle of a Tidewater
Maryland summer? No shade to work in any more!

Anyway, just food for thought. Especially since summer is coming to Tennessee.
-T

________________________________
From: oldtools@g...  on behalf of Ed Minch 
Sent: Saturday, May 8, 2021 8:19 AM
To: John M Johnston 
Cc: Old Tools 
Subject: Re: [oldtools] Chair from a tree

such a big log will be hard to split by hand, but once it is worked down, let
the fun begin

Ed Minch
273648 John M. Johnston <jmjhnstn@m...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
Tom,
I take your point.  What if it were a 12” diameter 5’ long log?

I have seen the Folllansbe video that Paul just referenced. It seems manageable,
looking up at it from the ground as it were.
John


John M. Johnston

“P.S. If you do not receive this, of course it must have been miscarried;
therefore I beg you to write and let me know.” - Sir Boyle Roche, M.P.


________________________________
From: Tom Dugan 
Sent: Saturday, May 8, 2021 8:57:13 AM
To: Ed Minch ; John M Johnston (jmjhnstn) 
Cc: Old Tools 
Subject: Re: [oldtools] Chair from a tree

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and trust the content
is safe.

Yeah, I have some experience in these matters. Before you can do any crafting
comes the grunt work.

'Twas many - many! - years ago, somewhere in the 90s, that I had to have a giant
oak taken down in our front yard. Ours was a beautiful red oak, and "only" about
30" dbh, that had shaded the yard for decades. I had them leave an 8' section,
and by the time I was done with the initial split, I'd quadrupled my supply of
steel wedges as well as crafting a number of gluts. It was a stringy, wretched
tree. Even after I'd gotten it "split" over half way, I needed to employ a
scissors jack to pry the halves apart, all the while taking an ax to the
"strings", which were splinters a quarter inch or more thick.

I hated that tree. Did I mention that this was in the middle of a Tidewater
Maryland summer? No shade to work in any more!

Anyway, just food for thought. Especially since summer is coming to Tennessee.
-T

________________________________
From: oldtools@g...  on behalf of Ed Minch 
Sent: Saturday, May 8, 2021 8:19 AM
To: John M Johnston 
Cc: Old Tools 
Subject: Re: [oldtools] Chair from a tree

such a big log will be hard to split by hand, but once it is worked down, let
the fun begin

Ed Minch
273650 John Ruth <johnrruth@h...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
John wrote:

"I’m sure I could get the arborist to cut a 5 foot long log from a straight
segment of the trunk, so that would be the starting point."

Why stop a one 5-footer?  

Maybe save a second section about 7-1/2 feet long for making beds.  ( Allows for
checking of the ends while drying. )

Is there a mobile sawmill service in your area? ( Bandsaw mounted on a trailer;
on-topic only if powered by a horse treadmill. )

Start looking for:
1) Scrap paint to coat the ends. ( Can water-based Paint go directly on fresh-
cut Oak? )
2) Dogwood for gluts. ( What other woods could be suitable? )
3) Schagrings for the gluts. In the absence of a blacksmith, I might try to cut
rings off a section of scrap pipe.

John Ruth
Wishing you the very best in this galoot adventure.
273651 Matthew Groves <grovesthegrey@g...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
Hey John,

I can assure you that a 36in white oak log is very manageable. And you get more
heart wood to work with!

All log processing requires work, but better an oak than an elm!

I don’t know what lengths the Jennie chair uses, but cut your bole a foot
longer.

To make a joint stool a la Peter Follansbee, you only need a log about 24inches
long, but end checking and such can make you glad you gave it some extra.

I have no doubt you’ll soon be an expert in green woodworking just as you are
with the dry stuff.

Here’s the stem to almost stern photo album of the joint stool I started back in
2020. Way too many pics, warning.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0UGqkRUiGO1hBo

This was red oak, but yours will be similar.

You’ll find out soon enough if your log is hollow or not.

For sure keep us all posted!

Matthew Groves
Springfield, MO
273653 Ed Minch <edminch3@g...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
1)  I have successfully used left-over water based paint on fresh Ash

3)  It’s just a giut - make a new one

Ed Minch
273654 Ed Minch <edminch3@g...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
> On May 8, 2021, at 11:51 AM, Matthew Groves  wrote:
> 
> All log processing requires work, but better an oak than an elm!


Elm chair seat

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby1638/35348022032/in/album-72157685365718166/

Ed Minchj
273652 Michael Suwczinsky <nicknaylo@g...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
It will definitely be a lot of work and you will have a lot of scrap,
shavings, splits etc Be prepared for a fair amount of waste wood as you
split, hack and hew down to workable stock. The splits and splints dry out
quickly and lend themselves to kindling.

You'll need a brake perhaps?   Follansbee has blogged about using a forked
branch on the ground, with two limbs close together, as a spot to wedge
stock while splitting it. If a branch from your downed oak fits that bill,
the arborist might put that aside for you.
https://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/riving-brakes-boxes-etc/


Have fun! I was only ever able to access green wood blocks from the County
Arborist dump pile on the way home from pre school. The back of the mini
van was often loaded with a stroller and a few logs. Nothing longer than a
15 inches but made a whole bunch of little stool and benches of dubious
stability and wood choice, but it was all green and fun to work.
Michael


On Sat, May 8, 2021 at 4:47 AM John M. Johnston 
wrote:

> Galoots assembled,
> I’ve a lovely old white oak tree in my yard that is suffering from massive
> root rot and will be taken down May 25th. It measures about 36 inches in
> diameter near the base and has a couple of good long straight runs in the
> trunk where there are no branches.
>
> Ever since my Peace Corps days in the early Seventies, the Whole Earth
> Catalog, and the publication of the first edition of Alexander’s Making a
> Chair From a Tree (3rd edition due in July), I’ve wanted to make a chair
> from a tree.
>
> While I’ve built lots of 18th century fine furniture, I’ve never done any
> green wood working.  I’m sure I could get the arborist to cut a 5 foot long
> log from a straight segment of the trunk, so that would be the starting
> point.  I ordered the 2nd edition DVD of Making a Chair From a Tree to get
> an overview of the process, necessary tools, etc.
>
>  Am I out of my mind to consider such a project?
> Your collective wise counsel is appreciated.
>
> Cheers,
>
> John M. Johnston
>
> “P.S. If you do not receive this, of course it must have been miscarried;
> therefore I beg you to write and let me know.” - Sir Boyle Roche, M.P.
>
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>

-- 
Michael
273655 Stephen Rosenthal <srosenthal26@g...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
Although my primary focus is on furniture for animals, I find Curtis Buchanan to
be an incredible resource for chair making and woodworking. He’s got his own
YouTube channel, which is both informative and very entertaining. His use of an
auger bit extension to line up the holes for stretchers on chair legs is
ingenious and just one of many techniques that I’ve been able to apply to my
work. Lately he’s been appearing on Elia Bizzarri’s channel (also an excellent
green and general woodworking resource).
273657 gtgrouch@r... 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
Oh dear! I haven't had a good laugh like that in a while. 

Excellent workmanship, by the way.

Gary Katsanis
Albion New York, USA

	-----------------------------------------From: "Ed Minch" 
To: "Matthew Groves"
Cc: "John M Johnston", "Old Tools"
Sent: Saturday May 8 2021 12:26:41PM
Subject: Re: [oldtools] Chair from a tree

 > On May 8, 2021, at 11:51 AM, Matthew Groves  wrote:
 >
 > All log processing requires work, but better an oak than an elm!

 Elm chair seat

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby1638/35348022032/in/album-72157685365718166/
 />
 Ed Minchj

 



Links:
------
[1] https://groups.io/g/oldtools/unsub
273658 Paul Honore <lawnguy44@g...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
I did some 12" Red oak 4 footers last fall after the August Storm 
(Isaias?). That went pretty easily although most of what you wind up 
with will be 4" wide or less after you get rid of the juvenile wood and 
the sapwood/bark. Follansbee also has several great videos on You Tube; 
riving as well finishing into boards

Paul H.
273661 galoot@l... 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
Follensbee's joinery book also has how-to's starting with a log for
some chests and boxes that would be heirlooms for your impression ;-)

Also check lost arts press, they have just released or are soon to
release a new third edition of make a chair from a tree.

Esther the scadian

Quoting Paul Honore :

> Peter Follansbee's blog has lots of info and videos on this; here's a sample:
>
> https://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2021/04/15/splitting-planing-video/
>
>
> Paul H.
>
> on 5/8/2021 7:47 AM, John M. Johnston wrote:
>
>> Galoots assembled,
>> I’ve a lovely old white oak tree in my yard that is suffering from
>> massive root rot and will be taken down May 25th. It measures about
>> 36 inches in diameter near the base and has a couple of good long
>> straight runs in the trunk where there are no branches.
>>
>> Ever since my Peace Corps days in the early Seventies, the Whole
>> Earth Catalog, and the publication of the first edition of
>> Alexander’s Making a Chair From a Tree (3rd edition due in July),
>> I’ve wanted to make a chair from a tree.
( He asks if he should, of course he should)
273663 Mark van Roojen <mvr1@e...> 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
John Ruth wrote:


>Is there a mobile sawmill service in your area? ( Bandsaw mounted on 
>a trailer; on-topic only if powered by a horse treadmill. )

Several of the Bandsaw Mill companies have places on their websites 
where you can search for someone in your area who uses their Mill to 
make money on the side.

- Mark
273666 Charlie Driggs 2021‑05‑08 Re: Chair from a tree
> On May 8, 2021, at 7:47 AM, John M. Johnston  wrote:
> 
> Am I out of my mind to consider such a project?
> Your collective wise counsel is appreciated.


John,

You are absolutely not out of your mind.   Just bear in mind that a 3' diameter
by 5 ft length log is going to be heavy when you are rolling, tipping, or
standing it on end — whatever you are attempting to do, do NOT be in the path it
might take if it falls from above or starts rolling downhill above you.  Don’t
let it have that path if you then go do something that lets it loose by mistake.

A cylinder of water that size would weigh 2,200 lbs (a metric ton).  Your log of
white oak, if solid through & through, would likely be heavier.  A log 18” in
diameter x 5 ft would more easily manageable by a single person, as it might
weigh in the range of 500-600 lbs, but the usefulness of 3 ft wide lumber is
considerably greater than 18” material if you can work it in that width.

Whatever size it winds up to be, treat it with respect.  Move it with seriously
sized levers, or better yet a few friends with peaveys and block & tackle.
Stabilize it in place with triangular blocks if laying on its side.  Realize
that you could split this thing down the middle into two equally sized half-logs
that might still weigh 4-5 times your own weight each.  Do you happen to have a
tractor with a forklift attachment and counterweights for the tractor?  Lifting
chains,  with 1/2” steel chain links? Might be very handy to have nearby.

I was involved with managing two softwood and one hardwood sawmills in Northern
California decades ago.  The first day I was at the hardwood mill, I was
impressed by the size of a solid walnut log on the saw.  It was 7 ft in diameter
and 8 ft long, and then I was stunned when told the weight of the log when they
loaded it on the carriage.  The sawyer said the setup had handled a few larger
logs, but was limited to 23,000 lbs and 7 ft diameter.  If the logging team had
brought in logs like that using the shorter trailers hooked up in twos that I
used to see on California roads, just two of those logs could put the rig over
its max hauling weight limit.

Awareness of the potential safety hazards is a good place to start when figuring
out how to go about working your log.  The good news is you will have it, and it
will be a great project to accomplish.  I suspect everyone else reading of your
challenge getting this tree taken down would also like to have that trunk!

Charlie Driggs

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