Wood racks technique

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Thu May 22, 2008 8:45 pm

Today i spent an hour going through the racks at a local timbershop. I was searching for big straight cedar. Heavy work. I've been there before, and realised I'd seen quite a few of the planks before. Then I had an idea. I got a piece of chalk from the car and marked all the pieces of wood I'd rejected on the side with a secret mark. So in a coupla weeks time, when I go back to see what's new, I might be able to tell which stacks I've already been through and which are new. Reckon that's an idea?

BTW Found enough for a bass top

Bob Connor · Post by **Bob Connor** » Thu May 22, 2008 8:54 pm

Very slippery technique Matthew.

Dave and I buy quite a bit of wood from Australian Furniture Timbers in Port Melbourne.

We always take a block plane with us.

Some of their timber has been there for years and it's impossible to see if it's quartered or flat sawn so the plane gives us some indication.

In fairness to AFT they will run the boards through the thicknesser before you commit to buy.

Bob

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Thu May 22, 2008 9:13 pm

I don't go anywhere without the trusty blockplane either.

Not a bad idea about the marking there, Matthew.
I suppose stamping the end grain with the words 'reject' would
be a tad too much. he he

cheers, Stu

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Thu May 22, 2008 9:36 pm

Well there's always the old "put the good boards at the back of the stack so no-one else gets them" trick too ... but i have a hunch i'm not the only one using that one ... the best boards are always at the back! Today i must have moved about thirty 4m x 30cm x 4cm boards. None were any good, although i was almost tempted to try a slab-cut top, some of the cedar grain is SO pretty when slab cut. I found what I wanted in smaller widths, it'll have to be another four-piece top.

sebastiaan56 · Post by **sebastiaan56** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:39 am

Was that Anagote Matthew?

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:56 am

Nope that was Swadlings. Don't mess with my chalk marks eh?

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:12 pm

As long as you're not getting anywhere near Mathews in Melbourne, I feel at ease

cheers, Stu

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Sat May 24, 2008 1:44 am

matthew wrote:I got a piece of chalk from the car and marked all the pieces of wood I'd rejected on the side with a secret mark.

Not really a secret mark if youve told all of us in here. Guess whos going to be going through all their local wood yards looking for Matthews secret marks???

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Sat May 24, 2008 6:57 am

I doubt if you'd be looking through the same racks

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Wood racks technique

Wood racks technique

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