wood for gun stock

[elarges]

Good morning!
I have a quick question concerning cutting gun stocks. I have a black cherry tree in the front yard that has finally kicked the bucket. I'm planning to cut it and mill it next summer. How thick should I cut a board for possible future use as a stock for a flinter? Dimensions? I would like to mill enough to two rifles, two pistols, and then the rest would be 1" lumber.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Eric

 

[Scota4570]

3"? You will be using a chainsaw to rough slab it? I'd go thicker in case of a slip. It will likely warp during the drying, go large. Cut it now if it is dead. The bugs and rot will get in if you wait. Coat the ends of the blanks with a sealer, otherwise the wood will split.

It takes a very large tree to make stock blanks. You don't want sap wood. You can only use half the diameter of the log. IF it died on it's own it probably has rot. IF the tree was irrigated it may not be very dense. It will take a couple of years to dry.

I have had success and failure with home cut wood. Going from tree to finished stock is satisfying. Have fun.

 

[kaintuck]

SOMETHING like 12"x3"x72"....stack your wood so the air can get thru it....tarp stack, takes about 3 yrs~ a wood moisture meter can tell you when they are 6-10%
paint the ends as SOON as possible, good luck!

i have some cherry 1-1/4" x 72"x 15" :grin: about 30~ and 15 didn't split!!!!!! so those will be cherry tables someday~unless mom sells then....

i have 2 more planks to cut blanks out of.....but i have fallen in love with maple......SO much nicer to work than walnut and cherry.. :youcrazy:

marc n tomtom