Yew... your thoughts before possibility of offering for sale?

[Accipiter]

I'm somewhat reticent in asking but hopefully it's acceptable to do so before opening a post in the Forum sale forum? If not then I'd appreciate some guidance on the correct approach from a member of the Forum admins please.

I'm sorting through the stock of English yew I've had for more than 35 years - realising that I'm never going to use it all. LOML/SWMBO and family wouldn't know what to do with it if something untoward happened so...

I've some ex 3" square edged 'beams' which have cracks... If cut to squares they could be used for bowls with resin filling... If not then ex 3" spindles...

I'm at a loss as to which would be of most use to anyone interested in purchasing and guidance would be appreciated. I don't have exact sizes to hand but would measure the lengths and width (think they may be ex 5½" wide?) if that would help members give guidance I'd also take some photos...

I put them through the thicknesser to see what the grains are like rather than the rough sawn.

 

[AndyP]

As an idea to get things moving can you prop the beams against a wall and indicate approx dimensions and prices. How long are they?
Going to be costly to post so I guess cash on collection from Frome would be preferable?

 

[Cabinetman]

I’ve always loved Yew, particularly the hardness of it, but I’ve always been of the opinion that it is unlucky. Pls don’t ask why, something to do with its connection to Druids and Churchyards?

 

[Accipiter]

Thanks @AndyP

One is 58" long and the other is 32½". Both 5⅝" x 2¾" PAR.

I'd not thought about price (per cft) yet... Thinking if selling as the lengths - the splits/cracks having to be considered, collected from Frome as you say or possible meet part way? If I crosscut to blanks (5⅝" sq)... hence suggestion/thinking for use with resin... not wasting as would if 2¾" sq spindles?

If square blanks, 5⅝", easier to post - as also if spindles 2¾" by X length (12"... 18"...?)

Photos in 2 replies... 1st of short length, 2nd of long length. Will need to zoom in to view the cracks/splits. The short length has one section that the split/cracks let's light through from both faces.

*I hasten to make clear that this is not a "for sale" posting but for some guidance/input on how to approach for making a for sale post.*

 

[Accipiter]

Long length

 

[Accipiter]

Thanks Ian (@Cabinetman )... it's a beautiful timber and I made some beautiful (if I say it myself) Arabian style falconry blocks from it. I was asked to make a set of 12 for the then Scottish Academy of Falconry. I also made a case for them to fit into. Somewhere there's a couple of photos of them...

To be honest... it became a bit monotonous trying to get the same design to all 12... 2 being extra large for their Gyr falcons.

 

[Pete Maddex]

Worthless! drop it off to me and I will give you a fiver for your trouble...


Pete

 

[Woodbloke]

Lovely timber as you mention, but the eternal problem with Yew is that it splits and cracks, so for the sort of work I do there would probably be a huge amount of waste (even though that could be made into smaller projects such as boxes etc) - Rob....who has been 'requested' to make a new jewellery box

 

[Accipiter]

(@Woodbloke ) Rob... I'm sure I've something that would be more suitable in my stocks of yew... possibly already close to a more acceptable thickness and widths for (jewellery) box making so less wasteful for you. But... I'm not wanting to turn this into a selling post and go against forum rules... accidentally or otherwise . Salisbury is not that far away

These chunks I just wish to get some idea if best chopped for bowl blanks (for filling with resin pre turning) or spindles to then waste/throw away the rest.

 

[AJB Temple]

My guess is the market will be limited as the cracks are large. I would not fill it with resin as for some people that would be a negative and further limits the market. My own experience with yew is that even sound looking wood can develop stress cracks when a saw releases tension along the grain. I would feel inclined to convert it to sound, uncracked, timber suitably dimension for making turning blanks, box planks or veneers and sell those as perfect bundles.