Couple of Stabilizing Questions

[Destructabot]

I got a pretty nice 4" thick block of salvaged old growth redwood burl that has some checking to it (see pic below). I'm curious as to your thoughts on whether I should cut up blocks being diligent to avoid the checks, not worry too much about them and plan on filling them in later, or just pass and put this piece aside for some other purpose? I'm smack-dab in redwood country so getting redwood burl is never too hard.

It's all getting sent off to K&G for stabilizing along with some other redwood lace, maple, and buckeye burls which brings me to my next question: Does the 10+ lb price rate take into account both dyed and undyed wood? I.E. if the wood I send ends up weighing 8 pounds for clear stabilized blocks and 4 pounds for dyed stabilized blocks, do I get charged the 5-10 pound rate for clear and the 1-5 pound rate for dyed or do I get charged the 10+ rate for both? I'm trying to get a box sent off on Monday and it'd be nice to have the weekend to process some more blocks if I need to add to the order. Tried to give K&G a call before 5, but didn't know they closed at 4 on Fridays.

 

[weo]

I'd avoid the checks. Especially if getting redwood burl isn't a problem. If you have access to plenty, why not only take the best pieces to minimize issues later. I'd only try to maximize my material if it was tough to get.

 

[Randydb]

My wife and I traveled through Humbolt State park last year. The car was pretty full so I was only able to bring home a couple pieces of redwood. There was one guy who had some amazing burls for sale. If I had my truck I would have hauled one home.

If I had access to redwood like you do, I would avoid the checks and work with stuff that didn't require messing around with it. I'd also be making some really nice coffee tables with it!

 

[Destructabot]

Yup, no shortage of burl shops or spalted wood around here (I live in Eureka in Humboldt County). Thanks for the input on that piece of redwood weo and Randydb, I'll see if there's some that's clear enough in the really figured part and if not, I'll probably make a knife display or something out of some of it.

 

[weo]

Nice to have a surplus to be able to chose the nicest stuff for yourself, no?

I have the same situation with Spalted maple on my property for the time being....There's also a 3' diameter burl I'm hoping to harvest this summer, but it's towards the back of my property and the tree is so twisted I'm a bit nervous about taking it down myself...

 

[Britt_Askew]

Nice to have a surplus
I have the same situation with Spalted maple ..

OhMy

Destructabot I dont see the picture but I would rather have one good solid block vs 3 with checks

 

[Destructabot]

Thanks, all. I think I'll just cut up some blocks of other stuff to have ready to send out Monday if I need to add more to the order. I just got 15 pounds back from them recently, but I suppose one can never have too much good wood!