New project

Funny how your not lookin anything to start and then a project opportunity just shows up. I "sometimes" have a problem turning down free stuff even though I have no idea at the time what I would do with it. Few months ago a good friend asked if I knew anyone who might want a pecan log as he had one that had to go. Guess he asked me cause I use to have a really nice band mill. Well when I had the mill I couldn't find anyone who had any pecan I could get. Well I couldn't let it go. So had this 14"X14"X6' blank laying in my yard ever since. Figured at some point I'd take the chain saw and cut it into 4" planks and let it dry.

Well stopped a couple days ago to drop some trash bags off at the local dumpster and saw a couple girls pushing some really heavy duty wrought iron benches in the metal bin. Happen to know the yard man and when he saw me see them he knew what was next. Soon as the yard was clear he helped me load the two benches in my truck. Now, they appear to have had oak planks on them but what was left was all but destroyed. I checked around to see if I could get any oak or maybe cedar but none that I was wiling to pay top $$ for. So, back to the pecan. I know it is a hard wood but don't know about using it for benches. Oh well, gonna find out the hard way.

Sorry about the pic quality, it was a light drizzle and the lens kept fogging.

So, now to do something with that pecan. Nothing much can beat a good sharp saw. This one is the best I've ever had. Husqvarna 20"

Got some worm cuts and some heart checks but I like the character.

Now to make a couple planks for the top rail and arm rests. My neighbor has a decent wood shop and lets me have full run when I want. Great guy huh! After runnin one side on the planer I started makin passes on the table saw until I had my rough planks.

Then I ran the planks on the planer for desired thickness and uniformity. Then mark and cut out the new top rails and arm rests.

Had enough to make both top rails and two arm rests.

Next, cut another blank for more planks and get on the sanding wheel with these pieces.

Did all this a couple days ago and have been sufferin ever since. Back and neck is cussin me ever other breath. But another day or so and I'll break stupid again. Can't help it. Gotta do something productive now and then or go crazy. I'll post pics of the next run when ever it happens.

You think the pecan is gonna hold up?? I plan to stain it dark and put several coats of poly on it for finish. If they turn out good and I get em done in time, one will go to my wife and the other to my daughter for Christmas.

Pecan is rather soft so I'm not sure it will work long term. I really like working with Bacote when I can and I made one cabinet using Bacote, Walnut, and Oak that came out really nice.  Looks like you did a great job so I hope it hold us for you probably cedar would be a good pick for an outdoor project like this but let us know how it does. Only outdoor project I did was with treated lumber but I could be persuaded to do something in Cedar 

Thought about using deck board but what I have used in the past was bad for twisting and bowing after a few weeks. Now this has morphed into a side project. Gonna build a Alaska mill out of some tubing I had in the bin.

Gonna order a ripping chain and then I may chase down some cedar or maybe some Cyprus. Still gonna go with the pecan for now but I like that the Alaska mill will give me more options.

So now we know how one project turns into 4....   

Yea, I got all these 3 and 4 inch X 12 and 20 inch planks that should probably go in the burn pile. But no!! Gotta save em just in case...........

Cool project!

Very cool!! 

Sgt. D wrote: Funny how your not lookin anything to start and then a project opportunity just shows up. I "sometimes" have a problem turning down free stuff even though I have no idea at the time what I would do with it. Few months ago a good friend asked if I knew anyone who might want a pecan log as he had one that had to go. Guess he asked me cause I use to have a really nice band mill. Well when I had the mill I couldn't find anyone who had any pecan I could get. Well I couldn't let it go. So had this 14"X14"X6' blank laying in my yard ever since. Figured at some point I'd take the chain saw and cut it into 4" planks and let it dry. Well stopped a couple days ago to drop some trash bags off at the local dumpster and saw a couple girls pushing some really heavy duty wrought iron benches in the metal bin. Happen to know the yard man and when he saw me see them he knew what was next. Soon as the yard was clear he helped me load the two benches in my truck. Now, they appear to have had oak planks on them but what was left was all but destroyed. I checked around to see if I could get any oak or maybe cedar but none that I was wiling to pay top $$ for. So, back to the pecan. I know it is a hard wood but don't know about using it for benches. Oh well, gonna find out the hard way. Sorry about the pic quality, it was a light drizzle and the lens kept fogging. So, now to do something with that pecan. Nothing much can beat a good sharp saw. This one is the best I've ever had. Husqvarna 20" Got some worm cuts and some heart checks but I like the character. Now to make a couple planks for the top rail and arm rests. My neighbor has a decent wood shop and lets me have full run when I want. Great guy huh! After runnin one side on the planer I started makin passes on the table saw until I had my rough planks. Then I ran the planks on the planer for desired thickness and uniformity. Then mark and cut out the new top rails and arm rests. Had enough to make both top rails and two arm rests. Next, cut another blank for more planks and get on the sanding wheel with these pieces. Did all this a couple days ago and have been sufferin ever since. Back and neck is cussin me ever other breath. But another day or so and I'll break stupid again. Can't help it. Gotta do something productive now and then or go crazy. I'll post pics of the next run when ever it happens. You think the pecan is gonna hold up?? I plan to stain it dark and put several coats of poly on it for finish. If they turn out good and I get em done in time, one will go to my wife and the other to my daughter for Christmas.

Sgt. D wrote: Yea, I got all these 3 and 4 inch X 12 and 20 inch planks that should probably go in the burn pile. But no!! Gotta save em just in case...........

Sgt. D wrote:

Right before the house caught fire......   

I'd follow Dan's advise and use marine grade ploy.  My mother's dining room table is pecan and has beautiful grain.  Keep it finished in good poly and it should last longer than you will...