Apple Wood

Re: Apple Wood

Dave Mount

>I sawed some appled intending to make molding planes from it, but there was so much defect in what I had that I didn't do it. Regardless, apple has a density (0.61) comparable to many oaks and was used for some chisel handles because of its durability -- I think it would make great molding planes. And yes, you would want it QS for the same reasons as QS beech was commonly used.

Those will be some pretty planes, post pics when you're done.

Best,

Dave

Re: Apple Wood

ThomD

>Turned quite a bit of it, it's very nice, but I can't see any particular reason to make it into planes. There is a lot of it being burned as people get out of the orchard business, at least around here so making something out of it makes sense. It's a nice cabinet, wood, I guess i just think of it more as ideal for the end result than the tools.

Re: was Apple Wood

Glenn Madsen near San Francisco

>We're seeing the same thing with a lot of the orchard wood from the San Joaquin Valley, as they change the various nut crops. The load of almond wood we picked up wasn't really big enough for much, but it will burn really well. The walnut, older, was grafted at two places, with three species - root stock, trunk stock, and top, or producing stock. I'll get a bunch of bowls from the trunk I brought home, but the strain of this particular wood isn't the old-school claro I've used before...

Re: Apple Wood - How well does it dry?

Dave Thompson

>Any experience with drying it?

I've heard anxieties regarding more hidden stresses associated with being a heavy fruit bearing tree, but I don't know if these anxieties are founded in experience or not... or were based on someone drying branches vs trunk.

I imagine an extra heavy load on top after stickering might take care of this, if it were an issue...

I presume the same would apply to pear?

Thanks,

Dave

Re: Apple Wood

Gary Tenney

>Thanks to all for sharing. I just found a source for a whole tree, or maybe more if I want to mess with it. I have not spoken with the owner yet and , am not sure why the tree or trees are being taken out or what defects might be in the wood, but figure cutting one up with a chain saw and splitting and sawing smaller stock on my bandsaw doesn't cost anything but time and might give me some good stock for something. I read in Roy Underhills book, (The Woodwright's Shop) that it was used a lot for wood screws and nuts, and have seen lots of fruitwood plow planes listed on ebay and other places so just was thinking that it might serve as decent for molding planes. At any rate, it will be free! Thanks!

Gary Tenney

Re: Apple Wood

Stephen Shepherd in the State of Deseret

>If you can find a suitable piece it should work just fine. I have seen saw handles as well as chisel handles made of apple.

Apple like all fruit and nut woods does not season well in the round. It is better to quarter the tree then allow it to season. It can be split into smaller pieces to facilitate drying.

I used up all the apple that Barb Saddiqui gave me, hint, hint.

Stephen

Re: Apple Wood

Jim Crammond in Monroe, Mi

>Gary,

I acquired some apple a few years ago that was big enough to be sawn into boards. I've used it for tool handles, shelves and a small table. Eventually, I will finish a Shaker style trestle table out of it. The wood I have is a deep red color, very hard and a lot of it is highly figured. It was flat sawn, so I don't have any that would be good for planes.

I think it would make great stock for molding planes. It is hard, takes detail well and feel very nice in your hands. I think that is the reason that it was offered by toolmakers as a premium tool.

Jim

Re: Apple Wood

Gary Tenney

>Thanks Jim,

I cut down two trees and quartered the smaller diameter. I can't bring myself to quarter the larger bodies as they are too pretty. I have them cut in half and they are about 24" diameter. I am toying with the idea of having them flat sawn in about 8/4 slabs, but everyone says it will move too much. I think it will take too long to dry left in the half.They sure would make some beautiful panelS. I am currently building a sculpted rocking chair out of Walnut and was thinking how unique it would be to do one in Apple. Not sure structurally how it would lend itself. I think I could probably get more trees for a song from the owner as he is out of the apple business and did not seem to mind me cutting the trees. He has probably about 15 or 20 more, but I have no place to dry them anyhow. Anyhow thanks for the post and ideas.

Gary Tenney