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Hi there,

I am about to cut down about 5 Cyprus trees which I'd like to convert into back and sides.

This is the first time I am doing this, and I still haven't decided if I would send it to a millhouse, or if I'd split it. I'll probably try a first split to see how it goes. I have no machines whatsoever. so it would be all done with hand tools (appart from a chainsaw for the big cuts)

Do you think it would help to wait this winter to cut it as the resin goes down with the cold?

Any particular comment or advise to give? maybe another use for the wood I didn't think of which could be usefull in lutherie?

Cheers

Many questions here...

Only the top 1/2% of wood ends up being good enough for backs and sides... Most is too knotty or too warped or too cracked or too twisty or too narrow to use....

Size up the trees... You will have a rough time getting much usable Back and Sides wood if the trees are small -- like less than 51 cm diameter at breast height...

Then, make sure you have sections at least 70cm long between the edges of knots for Backs and 100cm for sides.... That is a longer section than most people think of... but it shrinks quite a bit.... and the ends usually end up getting cut off...

You tend to loose quite a bit of wood to the Center (pith and sapling growth -- lots of sticks) and to the Sap wood on the outside...

Then... look for Twist, leaning, hollow, and curved trees -- Reject these... They tend to twist and bow and ruin your day when they dry...

Next -- PM Shane Neifer for advice on processing them...

Here's Shanes way

viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=8316&hilit=+stickering

Grant Goltz method

http://www.luthiercom.org/phpBB3/viewto ... =21&t=1649
http://www.luthiercom.org/phpBB3/viewto ... &sk=t&sd=a

and finally Arnt Rians way

http://www.luthiercom.org/phpBB3/viewto ... =21&t=1060

Hope these are of interest if not exactly what you were after

_________________
Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

Thanks a lot for your comments and links guys, I find it very interresting.

I am indeed aware of the risks of default in the wood. As a first timer it's even more likely that I'd make a big mess of it. I think I'll split a first piece bit and see.

I'll keep you updated about it, can't promise any pictures though, my internet here is so lame I can't even send a pic or video on the net.

Hey, thanks for posting that I have been looking for precisely this info. It's good to see a couple methods used as well.