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Author Topic: Black Gum?  (Read 3501 times)

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Offline Hickoryswitch

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Black Gum?
« on: June 09, 2008, 09:28:14 pm »
Has anyone tried black gum? I've used it for firewood and know it's really hard to split and it's hard.

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Wayne Silverthorn

Offline Pat B

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2008, 12:34:01 am »
I haven't tried black gum but as fibrous as it is it should at least make an OK bow. Give it a try and let us know what you find out.     Pat
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Badger

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2008, 01:12:17 am »
   My brother in law has a lot going on his property and I remeber him telling me you can put a rope around the tree and pull it right down to the ground with a tractor and it will spring right back up. Always wanted to try it. Steve
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Offline Hillbilly

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2008, 07:45:39 am »
I've always threatened to try one, but I'm too lazy to split the stave out-as hard as it is to split, it shouldn't break.
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Smoky Mountains, NC

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Offline Hickoryswitch

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2008, 09:03:31 am »
Yeah i was gonna try to find about 3 other people to help me split it. Do I have any takers? ;D It'd take me days to split it by myself.
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Wayne Silverthorn

Offline Hillbilly

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2008, 09:08:57 am »
I've thought about finding a 3" sapling and just cutting it in half. Or you could do like Jim Hamm said about splitting the 36" osage log-he would beat on the wedges until he passed out, then when he woke up he would beat on them until he passed out again, until it was finally split. :)
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Smoky Mountains, NC

NeolithicHillbilly@gmail.com

Progress might have been all right once but it's gone on for far too long.

Offline Hickoryswitch

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2008, 09:14:59 am »
Maybe I need to buy a bunch of wedges and a soft chair to pass out in. Too bad I can't use the hydraulic splitter. :) I could  have a guy with a wood mizer Slab it up. Now I gotta go find a gum to cut.  Thanks everyone I'm gonna give it a try.
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Wayne Silverthorn

Offline Pat B

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2008, 11:29:29 am »
Get one about 3" in diameter like Steve said and cut it in haly with a band saw or wood miser.    Pat
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Hickoryswitch

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2008, 11:35:22 am »
It won't have too much crown that small?
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Wayne Silverthorn

Offline Pat B

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2008, 11:36:17 am »
I've done it with other woods. I guess we won't know until you try! ;D     Pat
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Hickoryswitch

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2008, 11:39:41 am »
Well I guess I'll have to try it and let everyone know. I'll try to find a piece this afternoon. Thanks.
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Wayne Silverthorn

Offline snedeker

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Re: Black Gum?
« Reply #11 on: June 10, 2008, 12:06:12 pm »
I've often thought that it LOOKED like a good bowwood tree.  related to Dogwood too. The wood characteristics are pretty marginal though. Light density, not good either in tension or compression.

Dave
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