Different types of wood- dense? or lightweight?

[hammerman]

Got a chance to get me some large pieces of both pecan and red/white cedar. Would the cedar wood be too light to make a stock from? Or what about pecan? :hmm:
I'm thinking the cedar will be too soft? This is all local woods so its not like I will be buying it :winking:
Curiosity is getting the better of me and a winter project to keep me busy and out of the cold would be just fine with me.
What do ya say,is it an idea? or am I just wishin its that easy to track down a good peice of wood?

 

[Zonie]

Based on the times I've used Cedar, I would say it would much too soft for a gunstock. It might work alright for something like a bullet block but I don't think I would use if for anything that will have to take any loads at all.
Makes a really good fence though.

Pecan might be all right for stocks, but I haven't seen any pieces large enough for a rifle. Maybe a pistol?

I'm guessing, but some woods develop sever cracking problems when they are dried. Pecan might be one of them? :hmm:

 

[vradin]

The cedar might be good for some accessories, like Zonie said- bullet blocks, maybe powder measures, horn caps & plugs. Again- don't know about stocks. It's a bit soft, and finding long straight grain without knots might be difficult.

The pecan you might be surprised with. Cure it carefully or it checks badly. Once cured it's a light colored pretty looking wood with barely noticable grain patterns. That changes when left in the sun- it darkens and the grain pops out after a few months. IF you get a large enough plank for stocks, get good tools. Working bone-dry pecan is like working steel. I made a walking stick and cane from some limbs and dulled more than a few chisels and scrapers in the process. I also use it for turning, makes great bowls but dulls my lathe tools quickly.

vic

 

[hammerman]

Thanks guys, I wasn't sure and just needed some input. :thanks:
BTW, the cedar blank would have come from a really large log(18" - 24") and sure woulda been purty. I have several big pecans and so does the neighbor. The cedar would come from the neighbor down the street.

 

[Zonie]

"The cedar would come from the neighbor down the street."
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Does the neighbor know he's making the donation? :crackup: :crackup: