I hauled one of the Red Ironbark posts onto a pallet and cut off the ends with the mortices and rot in them.
The main reason for doing this was to have a complete length without any rot or previous work in them.
What I found has changed my mind in regarding to ripping them into planks.
Another view
They are the effective center of the original log and any material I rip off will be subject to cupping be the grain structure, as I wanted to maintain the maximum width.
Tangental sawing may be possible but will give me lots of sizes.
My thinking is to to just thickness them and then use them in their close to original form.
Using the scrap off cuts as an example this was what I was intending to do with the complete posts.
I may end up just leaving the scrap off cuts and see what happens to them first then make a decision.
All a bit vague to me
Anybody have more experience with this type of activity? I would be interested to hear your opinion.
-- Regards Rob
6 comments so far
crowie
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3097 posts in 2369 days
#1 posted 09-07-2017 05:25 AM
The Iron Bark is tough timber, especially old posts…poor saw BUT beautiful colour & grain….
-- Lifes good, Enjoy each new day...... Cheers from "On Top DownUnder" Crowie
crowie
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3097 posts in 2369 days
#2 posted 09-07-2017 05:25 AM
Well done on the recycling again Rob..
-- Lifes good, Enjoy each new day...... Cheers from "On Top DownUnder" Crowie
Joe Lyddon
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10640 posts in 4470 days
#3 posted 09-07-2017 05:33 AM
COOL stuff!
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: https://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/index.php
robscastle
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6223 posts in 2622 days
#4 posted 09-07-2017 08:45 AM
Crowie,
The portable saw must have been given a severe wake up call as I have not used it for years.
then all of a sudden its chewing through one of the toughest timbers we have here in Ozzie.
The timber is tough all right just check out the burn marks, and me after reporting I will do no more until my son helps me but I could not help myself.
So afterwards the blade was removed and give a good clean with white vinegar and a couple of nylon scouring pads as a reward for services rendered.
A reorder of two replacement blades has been arranged as the more I do with this timber the more I am motivated to use it regardless of the mass of it (meaning bloody heavy)
-- Regards Rob
crowie
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3097 posts in 2369 days
#5 posted 09-07-2017 11:28 AM
I know what you’re talking about Rob,
I have a cubic metre in my front yard from an 80yr old tree that died in my front yard…..
Plus I scored 2-3yrs of firewood….
-- Lifes good, Enjoy each new day...... Cheers from "On Top DownUnder" Crowie
stefang
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16705 posts in 3752 days
#6 posted 10-10-2018 04:13 PM
You might consider a saw blade sharpener Rob. I bought a cheap one and it works pretty good. Comes from china like everything else.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
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