Harvesting Chair Material

Recently I just returned from Indiana harvesting wood for the latest chair class at Marc Adams School of Woodworking. We cut some white oaks for bending and sugar maple for turnings. My good buddy Bill Nelson did the cutting and when he cut the white oak I happen to have a video rolling. I want you to see  how the pros do it. Remember, this is chair wood that we have to split for arms and spindles.

This tree ended up not being very good for chair making. It was very tough and stringy and full of small defects, knots, etc. We cut another white oak that split and steam bent fine. Pete Galbert taught the class last week and we had a great time. Everyone finished a chair and learned a lot. 

Here is a shot of the sugar maple we cut for future turning stock. We sawed it on the mill and I'll round up the blanks next week. Notice how white the maple is all the way to the pith. That's the way I like 'em.

 

Currently I am building chairs to fill some long over due orders and getting ready for the Tennessee Association for Craft Artist show in Nashville. I have also been cutting some really long and spectacular walnut crotches along with some crazy wide red elm and sassafras for seat material. I am looking forward to cooler weather.