The mother load

[Bills Custom Calls]

While out cutting up some firewood on Monday I came across this maple tree and when I cut it up I got some awesome looking wood





Yes some is in the firewood pile and some got put back to dry and be cut up a little further

[Hawks Feather]

Bill,

It is one thing to describe the Maple in the picture, but "I got some awesome looking wood" is just a little over the top for me.   

Sorry, I couldn't resist,

Jerry

[Bills Custom Calls]

Jerry I didn't expect that from you  :shck: But I will know better next time.

Although I did expect something like that from Jim

[FinsnFur]

 :shck:

whaaaat   

[HaMeR]

I was skeered to look at the picture after I read that line!! :shck:

:roflmao: :roflmao:

Jim-- I guess your reputation precedes you!!    :roflmao: :roflmao:

[FinsnFur]

That stuff would have to dry for an extremely long time to be able to turn calls from it, wouldnt it?
I have no idea, I'm asking...but I never imagined someone could whack down a tree and spin a call from it.

Wouldn't it finish drying in the shape of a call and in the customers hand, and end up cracking to pieces?

[Bills Custom Calls]

Yes it takes awhile for a tree to dry.That tree had been down for about 2 years we lost it in an ice storm
as well as quite a few others.This is the first one that had that much spalt,and trust me it is loaded.

The Sap would all be dried up in it so the only thing I would be waiting on is the water to dry and that will be a couple months I think.I will wait a few weeks then start cutting it into boards

[Jimmie in Ky]

Go ahead and start turning it into boards. That way you won't get too much checking in these pieces. Cut the center pith out then adjust for a cut about every two inches. Do not cut all the way through until you have as many boards laid out as you think you can get from a piece. Use two of the most rotten ones to put a notch in to hold them off the ground, that way if you do cut too deep it won't hurt your feelings 

As for th crotch pieces I cut them across the limbs instead of between the limbs. Try it both ways then cut what you prefer.

Some of them at that stage of spalting will be a little softer than you may want. It looks like it was a silver maple, was it? Red maple looks more like veins of smoke running through it. 

Curing time will be about six months. If you want to turn some of it sooner than that take it in the house and put it behind your wood stove if you have one. Takes about a month but will have more checking unless you paint the ends with something.

Oh, almost forgot, Watch for standing dead elm or box elder. About the time th bark is peeling off them good the log is fairly well spalted. They both make pretty calls as well.
Jimmie

[Bills Custom Calls]

Thanks Jimmie I was hoping you would reply to this.

Yes it is silver maple hopefully I can get this stuff cut up this weekend. When I get ready to turn some of this wood I will cut the blank to size then soak it a jar of linseed oil for about a week,then set off to the side and let it dry for about a week,turn it and hope for the best

[cb223]

What does soaking it in linseed oil do? Stabilize it?

[Jimmie in Ky]

Soaking it in linseed oil to stabilize is a new one to me. I will have to try that. I have some pieces that are a bit too soft myself. Hate to throw away such pretty stuff. Elm at that stage of spalting still turns good. Why the silver maple goes soft so fast is hard to figure out. Sweet gum is good looking spalted but it too goes soft like the silver maple if your not careful. I have found that six months is about as long as I can let them  go for spalting before I board them out. Jimmie

[Bills Custom Calls]

Soaking it in linseed oil seems to tighten it up.
Here is one that is soaked in linseed oil it does change the color of the wood some



I have one in the shop now hoping to get it turned tonight I will show that one also