Walnut Help Needed

[Frankie]

Recently cut down several large walnut branches from the home my wife and I just moved into.

It's such nice wood I hate to just waste it as firewood.
But I know nothing about drying, preparing or carving it.

Ideally, I'd love to carve a set of nice kitchen utensils, bowls, etc for my wife.

I'd appreciate any advice anyone can lend.

Thanks in advance!

[squbrigg]

Take the bark off, wax the ends and let them dry out a bit, on a bench or rack, raised up off the floor or they'll absorb moisture and mold . About an inch a year is a rule of thumb. The wax keeps them from drying out too quick and checking or cracking. They should carve up fine after a bit. Rough out on a band saw and whittle away.

Bob

[rick-in-seattle]

When deciding what to dry, consider the finished wood size in quarters of the log. As if you were actually splitting the wood into four pieces.

When you begin sawing, the wood gets small quick; so unless you have a specific use for it, forget drying the small stuff.

[Ky_Whittler]

For the spoons and other utensils split or saw the blanks out and carve them green.They will work much easier and less chance of the wood splitting since they dry very quickly.The thinner the better on the bowls of the spoons. Pieces for bowls need to be sealed and set up somehwere to dry. I have cut out blanks and turned them as soon as six months and done alright. I don't turn them to final thickness the first time though since there will be some warping. I get them down to about a half inch and set them up to finish curing. Wild cherry can be worked this way as well. WHittler