Source of well seasoned poplar wood and long strips / off cuts of wool on sheep skin?

[dwardo]

Bum. Oh well. I measured one of the numerous cricket bats tha never get used in this house and if it wasn't for the V cutout for the handle it would be perfect. Assuming the blade comes out to spec I need a wood blank 22 x 2 x 4 inches Naturally the finished article will be thinner and narrower.

Aw nuts, we were down Oxford way last weekend. I don't think well be down that way until about Easter now but thanks for the offer bob.





atb

Tom

You could season timber in those dimensions in no time at all. Weeks to a couple of months max. I do it all the time.

 

[tombear]

So whats the best way to season stuff quickly?

Apart from cricket bats is anything else made for willow?

ATB

Tom

 

[British Red]

Does it have to be cricket bat willow Tom or will weeping or goat willows do?

 

[tombear]

Any native willow would do I think.

atb

tom

 

[British Red]

Its mostly weeping willow round here - very light and fairly soft when seasoned...

 

[dwardo]

Will have a look this afternoon, might have some goat willow near those dimensions. What's the smallest you can get away with? Fast seasoning is just cutting to as small a dimensionvas possible then placing it somewhere warm and dry. It dries quicker than you think when small enough and dry enough.

 

[tombear]

Cheers! Until the blade arrives after xmas I'm erring on the side of caution with regards . I should have a dimensioned sketch off the maker after the weekend to help me source materials. Ive been poking around the charity shops looking for some thing made with hair on lamb or sheep skin I can cut up for the small strips i need. No point sourcing a complete skin!

ATb

Tom

 

[dwardo]

Found this goat willow cowering behind a bunch of staves. Season for a few years now.
When you are ready with dimensions let me know and I will check it.

Goat will seems to be the tougher of the willows in my experience. Only one that will make a bow.

 

[British Red]

Goat is much tougher than weeping for sure - I've cut and burned both and weeping is very light when seasoned - you can mark it with a thumbnail

 

[tombear]

That goat sounds excellent. Ill get back to you as soon as I have definitive sizes. Thanks again!

Tom

 

[British Red]

Dropped those ash trunks today Tom. I think sadly none will give you a perfect 8' length


Ash Trunks by British Red, on Flickr

The four longest are 8-9', max 6" diameter

I had hopes for the second from left - but at about the 6' point there is a lot of knotting (you can see where side branches were removed)

Middle is nice and straight but only 6' ish - two on the right have a curve at the bottom


Let me know if you want any and I'll wax them for you (they are a two man lift - heavy ish)

Its not a problem if they are no good for you as there are certainly some good sections for axe and sledge handles in there.

Red