What is the best way to dry green wood from a friend’s garden? I don’t know what type of tree it was.
I’d previously had some 3ft long fig tree logs that I left indoors to dry out but they splintered badly.
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The annoying answer I’m afraid is slowly. The most important thing is good ventilation so storing them outside where a breeze can blow through them is good. Rain is surprisingly alright but cover them if you can. Shortening them will speed the process up too. If you cut them into boards, make sure you seal the end grain or they will split.
Also, fairly sure that wood is plum - nice stuff.
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Thanks Andy. I’ll paint the end and leave it to dry over the summer. If it’s plum that would lovely! I’ll bring it on July 16th.
Btw browsing eBay and there are so many Stanley no4 planes! Bamboozled by the choice. Any recommendations?
Pre-war is the key on Stanleys - they dropped in quality after 1940 or so. Avoid anything with a plastic handle as that is well into the post-war region. Other than that, it’s quite hard spotting the right one I’m afraid. Check that the blade isn’t too pitted, especially near the cutting edge and the soles tend to crack around the mouth so make sure that hasn’t happened too if you can from eBay pictures. Main thing isn’t don’t pay too much - they are everywhere so wait for one you are sure about.
Thanks. I was bidding on a well maintained one, possibly 1950s (judging from the box and manual), wooden handles, was outbid went for £38 in the end, wasn’t sure if I was overpaying. Does SLMS have the tools to sharpen plane blades? And grind/smooth down the shoe?
Veritas has a great plane but over £150!
We have the sharpening stone which can do the blade. Flattening the sole is actually slightly overrated (at least for a no.4) but we do have some very flat surfaces like the bandsaw table that you can attach some sandpaper to for flattening.
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