Coop Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 I had hoped to start a new thread today on a door build, similar in style to this but from walnut. I The walnut I hope to use was cut and milled about 5 years ago and has been stickered under cover since. Before starting the thread, I cleaned up the 2 1/4” thick slabs with a belt sander and started trimming off the sap wood from the edges. The first slab had some pith wood in it and I ripped down what I thought was the line, although it wasn’t in the center of the board. The two pieces are completely flat. The better of the two boards appear not to have the pith but is not flat at all. I put winding sticks at each end and the is a 3/4” difference. Here are some pics of the ends of the board. In order for the rings to show better, I marked them with a Sharpie. I also marked each end with an A an B which show the sides of the board. As I am depending on this board for one of the rails, I don’t want to start just ripping to release the stress. As you can see, one end has what looks to be more than just a check. Any idea where I should make the rip cut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 The "pith" is essentially just the center. If you were making a table, you would leave this all in tact and flatten and move on. Since you're looking for the the 2 long vertical pieces for the door, I would be looking in the A and B area of the slab. The areas are where the grain is more 1/4 sawn and should be more stable. As for the wood movement, it's going to do what it's going to do. I could leave myself a little extra width and cut them off. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Coop, the A and B side of the board QS and would be the bests. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 Kev, thanks to you and Spanky both. Can I assume that the center can be used for the rails as they are only 26” long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Coop, I’m no woodworker, but I would think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 I hope so and I’m going for it as that’s a lot of walnut to be wasted if not. I will mill it down to correct thickness gradually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 51 minutes ago, Coop said: Kev, thanks to you and Spanky both. Can I assume that the center can be used for the rails as they are only 26” long? Yes.. I try to avoid the pith when I can but, I don't cry or worry about it too much if I have to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 If I recall, the tree went up about 7’ and branched out into a wye and one of the wyes is where this is coming from. The pith is no where near the center of the slabs. I’m probably in way above my head but, we shall see. May have to buy a $300 pre- hung door and I’ll be pissed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 lol, you'll be fine.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Coop, you need to think like the little train engine, when he came to a hill, I think I can, I think I can. LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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