In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

First time black birch

Discussion in 'The Sawyer Room' started by Boomstick, Aug 17, 2016.

  1. Boomstick

    Boomstick Banned

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    Took down a big dead beech and this birch was a casualty. I think it's one of the heaviest woods I've handled.

    It has a nice color to it, smelled amazing.

    The pale stuff is some sugar I had.

    Didn't know what to do with any of it, so I just riftsawn it all. 16ft and the maple is about 15ft.
    Havta go back and seal the ends. IMG_20160816_163439171.jpg IMG_20160816_163312886_HDR.jpg IMG_20160816_154502404.jpg

    I let the trailer sit for the night before moving it Into the shed the next day and the tires were buried in the ground!
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2016
  2. mike bayerl

    mike bayerl

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    Nice. Doesn't look like many knots in birch. That can be a problem sometimes. Black birch makes excellent lumber, pretty similar to sugar maple but even heavier and harder. It works very well in the shop and finishes beautifully. I built a table out of some lumber from my woods.
     
  3. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    It hats great looking stuff right there Boomstick.:thumbs:
    Guess I missed your thread or pics of your mill- I like it ahlawt :)
     
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  4. Boomstick

    Boomstick Banned

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    Its all fairly clear, just had some sweep.
    There is a bunch in the woods thats all deeper woods growth probably spent its entire life in the pole stage!
    never messed with with until now.

    Makes me think twice about tapping all of them.
     
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  5. Boomstick

    Boomstick Banned

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    Just a redneck build, a welder and mail order magazine...and a used harbor freight motor!:rofl: :lol:
    I don't have a thread on it, I should start a thread on how I started milling 3+ years ago with a homemade Alaskan and a ms290 25+inch " old growth"oak in a swamp:D
    That inspired the arch and a real mill lol.
     
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  6. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    I absolutely LOVE the smell of black birch.....nothing like that wintergreen scent!

    Looks like some nice lumber, I'd be interested in seeing your mill as well....
     
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  7. Boomstick

    Boomstick Banned

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    Yes! It smells great, breaking a twig or rubbing the leaves is one thing but cutting it is amazing.
    Reading up about the wood, they use to use it for the wintergreen, essential oil and flavoring etc.
     
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  8. Boomstick

    Boomstick Banned

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    Almost a year later and the wood is ready.
    Screenshot_20170614-094608.png
    Wood was 11-14% about a month ago so the Mrs and I made a table for the kitchen. White ash (4x4 legs)for the bottom and black birch(aka cherry birch) with a few sugar maple pieces for the top mixed in.
    Top is almost 3 inches thick 3 feet x 5feet. It's hefty! Screenshot_20170614-093259.png Screenshot_20170614-093249.png Screenshot_20170614-093321.png Screenshot_20170614-093309.png Screenshot_20170614-094608.png
     
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  9. schlot

    schlot

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    Wow!
     
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  10. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Nice job , looks good :thumbs:
     
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  11. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    Oh that's some wonderful looking butcher block table there sir! Wow! Heavy set wood like that will turn that into an heirloom. Great for passing down. :thumbs:
     
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  12. mike bayerl

    mike bayerl

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    WOW! You are a masochist! Birch is very fussy about grain direction for hand planing. If you go with the grain, it rewards you with beautiful depth of chatoyance. Against the grain, it rips and tears out like crazy.
    BTW, GREAT table!
     
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  13. tamarack

    tamarack

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    Your the man!! I love that table.
     
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  14. Boomstick

    Boomstick Banned

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    Thanks!
    It was a pain, that's why the sander was in the pic...making sure I can get out the small tear out:rofl: :lol:
     
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  15. MikeyB

    MikeyB

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    Great job my man, awesome work....
     
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  16. iBob

    iBob

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    Tis a thing of beauty :eek:
    Excellent build.

    B;)B
     
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  17. Valleyman

    Valleyman

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    Love the dog photo
     
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