Last week high winds from a thunderstorm toppled my 65 year old Pecan tree. Would it be worth while to try to save some of the wood for future rifle stocks? If so what procedures do I use in drying. I've been told to coat the ends with wax while it's drying. Thanks
Posts: 915 | Location: Breckenridge, TX, USA | Registered: 24 November 2001
Pecan is too unstable for stocks but it makes great furniture and paneling. Dip the end grain in melted wax and crib stack the wood under shelter. Leave at least 25% extra wood in all dimensions.
I've never tried Pecan for a stock, but it has a very definite tendency to walk (warp or twist) while drying. Based on fooling with it some for other uses, I think its shock resistance might be questionable as well. Finally, I don't think its grain pattern/color is all that attractive so I wouldn't use it. But, others may have a different view.
If you have a way to saw it up, you might plank it and see what happens. There is a commercial preparation, but you can coat the ends with roofing cement or even paint to slow checking.
Makes great barbeque wood. Some people don't like it for firewood as it sometimes pops a bit, but it burns long and hot, similar to oak.
Posts: 17099 | Location: Texas USA | Registered: 07 May 2001
You may want to call a few hardwood mills or sawyers in your area. A lot of wood becomes firewood, that could bring $$$ if people did this. I know some guy that takes down trees in residential areas "practically for free" and people love it -- if they knew how much he was selling their black walnut stumps for, I bet they wouldn't.
Todd
Posts: 1248 | Location: North Carolina | Registered: 14 April 2001
As a hobby stockmaker and owner of a cabinet shop I get lots of offers to cut down trees and take the wood. The one time I did it was on a hy-bred walnut tree. Real interesting wood, cured the wood and made a couple of stocks from it, they were ok. Most of the backyard walnut gets too much water and grows too fast. If you don't have a proper setup to dry the wood you can screw it up bad. If all you want is furiture lumber it's not so bad. Me, I get mine right at the door of my shop, on a lumber truck. It's cheaper and a lot less work. Pete
