There is a local saw mill that will cut me a plank of ash.
How long would it need to dry before I could use it for a stock?
How long would it need to dry before I could use it for a stock?
drying time for ash?
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Phil Coffins
70 Cal.
Three or more years.
JustAnotherJoe
32 Cal
The old, and often wrong, rule of thumb is 1 year per inch of thickness. There are many pages online dedicated to properly drying or kilning lumber. Ash will behave pretty much the same as any other common domestic hardwood. Just try doing a quick web search and see what pops up.
I love working with ash, but I can't imagine its bright color and large pores on a gun stock. If you do go forwards with it I would love to see the photos whenever you've completed it!
I love working with ash, but I can't imagine its bright color and large pores on a gun stock. If you do go forwards with it I would love to see the photos whenever you've completed it!
I have a beautiful autumn purple ash tree seriously infested with emerald ash borers. Currently contracting with a local firm to inject it periodically with ash borer insecticide, hoping to save it. If that fails, I've got a couple of its branches eyeballed for possible rifle stock blanks. This is a very long process. I don't know. I might very well be dead before it all plays out. 
Old Hawkeye
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In the deserts of Nevada about 3 or 4 years. I the Midwest, with the humid summers, about 7 to 10 years. Kiln drying generally doesn't work well with hardwood stock blanks 2.5 to 3 inches thick.
he’ll i am old, i may not have 4 or 5 years to wait…..
Suppose I will pass
Suppose I will pass
Ash is low moisture to start with and most of our ash trees here are dead and dry already from the emerald ash borer infestation. Probably will not too long to dry for stock work.
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Branches are not what you want for stocks or any sort of lumber. Google reaction wood to find out what that is.I have a beautiful autumn purple ash tree seriously infested with emerald ash borers. Currently contracting with a local firm to inject it periodically with ash borer insecticide, hoping to save it. If that fails, I've got a couple of its branches eyeballed for possible rifle stock blanks. This is a very long process. I don't know. I might very well be dead before it all plays out.
Cut stock blanks out while it is geeen. Seal both ends with anchorseal, wood glue, paint etc. by cutting blanks you will significantly speed drying time. Allow to air dry to at least 15-20% moisture. This should only take maybe 6-9 months. Finish off drying in a kiln or a warm dry environment. An attic works well.
OK, I didn't know that. Thanks for the warning. I'll have to do my research.
I am wanting to send it to you for a woodsrunner stock. I assume if I send it you will be able to tell if it is dry enough?
I have an ash blank from a tree taken down by a line crew before COVID. They said it had signs of ash borer damage. I've had it stacked and air drying since I slabbed it.
Started inletting late last summer and found it brittle. Struggled with the lock inlet to the point of messing it up. Set it aside and haven't gone back to it yet. Maybe it dried too long, or maybe it's just me. Only my third lock inlet. But, I had the barrel channel done elsewhere, and that came out perfect.
Started inletting late last summer and found it brittle. Struggled with the lock inlet to the point of messing it up. Set it aside and haven't gone back to it yet. Maybe it dried too long, or maybe it's just me. Only my third lock inlet. But, I had the barrel channel done elsewhere, and that came out perfect.
If you send it to us, we can dry it and make a stock. No extra charge for the drying.
sweet…… i’m on it
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sportster73hp
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Is that curley ash or blade chatter on the board?
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Blade chatter ...and cherry
Northwoodstrapper
32 Cal
Take Jim’s offer on kiln drying. It not only removes moisture but when the heat is turned up after the moisture is removed it will close the cells and kill any bugs that might have found a hidden home.
I saw a-lot of dead standing ash here and surprisingly it still has around 26% moisture in it.
I saw a-lot of dead standing ash here and surprisingly it still has around 26% moisture in it.
Ash is very susceptible to powder post beetle infestation when air dried. Accepting the offer of kiln drying will not be regretted.
bldtrailer
Pilgrim
yup I put up some ash in the shed rafters and by summer had lots of saw dust& pin holes , made fence rails instead
