Hedge/Osage stave storage **** updated with haul load

[jamesh76]

Thanks, about half of the osage has a little twist I'll have to take out on caul.

[jamesh76]

Go for it James.I did.It'll be worth it.I've done hundreds.
We have crews around here that cut fence posts for a living.Thousands of them over a summer.

I say go for it to. I’m not trying to discourage you. Just getting you prepared.
Bjrogg

no worries. I just wanted it on hand for now. Knowing it will be quite a while before I can use it. I will prep and store it the best I can. If I lose a few, that's ok. The hardest part for someone getting into this is lack of available wood. I bough all 4 TBB books, so I got some learning to do. That and all the great posts here will be very beneficial when the time comes for using what I cut.  Besides, I got a 17 year old that needs to learn with me

[BowEd]

Good sound plan James.Many times a little twist does'nt bother at all.

[osage outlaw]

To get a belly split just use a hatchet or sharp wedge and line it up with a growth ring.  Sometimes the solit will follow ot and other times it runs off.  Start on the small end of the stave.  Make sure you have enough wood before you start taking belly or side splits.   Seal those ends as soon as possible.  I seal them as soon as the chainsaw is shut off.  I seal them again when I get home and again when I seal the backs.   A gallon of TB wood glue thinned down with a little water makes a good and cheap sealer.

[Swampman]

Nice looking haul.  I am jealous of all of you that live in osage country.  It doesn't grow in Minnesota.

That looks like a lot of fun and work. Sometimes those two things are the same though.  I would say that is the case with harvesting staves.

[jamesh76]

Quite a bit of twist in some of the osage. Got some split down smaller. 2 1/2 down to rough stave size. 3 1/2 -4" wide. Sealed ends and back with glue. Got bark and sapwood off. Down to a ring for most of the length but not the ring I will eventually chase. Hard work, but I'm enjoying it and look forward to the rewards. I imagine I will make my first few from hickory or mulberry. Likely the smaller pieces because they are straighter. Then move onto a osage piece due to the challenge of the curves.

[jamesh76]

Got 4 done.

[osage outlaw]

You lost a shoe and a sock in the process?   You must have been working really hard.  I know it's a lot of work but removing dried sapwood is even worse.  Seal those backs.

[jamesh76]

You lost a shoe and a sock in the process?   You must have been working really hard.  I know it's a lot of work but removing dried sapwood is even worse.  Seal those backs.

that's my son's sock and shoe lol.  I sealed back and ends with Elmer's. Will chase final ring when I make them. The one inwentbtoo may be good. Just need to clean up around knots some of I use where it's at. I got 4 done and about 30 to go. I cut 1 really small sapling.... maybe 2" but it didnt look like it had any knots or limbs for about 7' of length. I'm sure there are. Will be interesting if I can get it too work. I plan to get a piece of hackberry close to dimensions and put in one of our extra vehicles to hopefully speed up drying. Its not hot here yet but will be before long.

[Hawkdancer]

Nice hail!  If you have too many, let me know!  First dibs!
Hawkdancer

[jamesh76]

You sure learn alot about your staves as you watch how they split and learn their characteristics while debarking and removing sapwood. Alot of times it seems to me it changes what you though you had before.   Some split well, others split thick on one end and end up 1/2 as wide on the other as it follows the grain.

[jamesh76]

 Holy twist batman!  Idk if I will ever have the skill for this one. Almost tossed it.  It was split from the triangle on one I got 3 staves. Chased a ring best I could for now. Was really good practice. Odd enough, the other 2 pieces from this one didnt show alot of twist on outside ring. This one almost 90 degree.

[Hawkdancer]

Stick it under the good ones, and by the time you get to it, you will have developed your skill set? or  . Good luck with all of them!
Hawkdancer

[jamesh76]

Mulberry I assume back of bow?  Should my hickory of been the same? I more less just took bark off it.

[dylanholderman]

do you have a better pic of the bark on that one? it doesn't look like mulberry to me.