BEAUTY from a BEAST of an English Walnut log

Today I mill up a few walnut logs including what has to be the ugliest logs I e ever had on my mill. Was it worth it?

[@jimtaylor6114]

Just saw your video sorry for the delay in posting. JT from Texas here. Just a thought for the future, there are tons of folks out there that would kill for 3"x6"x14" pieces of English walnut for making gun stocks, and smaller pieces for barrel rests, etc. I know a lot of folks will holler about book match epoxy projects, but I would have killed to get some chunks of heartwood to make stocks.. There really is no bad wood, it's just how it's used. And with English walnut, even half inch thick pieces can make jewelry boxes, etc.... Great video!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you Jim! I’m literally milling more English walnut right now and will post it tomorrow. I’ll have to make some thicker slabs out of the next log😉

[@conscience-commenter]

Natures gold . Each pass is like a Christmas morning present from mother nature . It pays to know the best strategy to yield the most out of damaged logs . Knowing what someone can use it for helps in cutting strategy.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

This one was a total crapshoot!😂

[@brianmcewen5026]

This is the type of milling I enjoy watching and why I started watching them in the beginning. I love opening up logs on my mill that look like firewood just yo see what hides within. Beauty.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

You absolutely never know what you’re gonna get.

[@Northtide]

The words Junk and Walnut don't even belong in the same sentence. You have some really beautiful wood there. Thanks for the post.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@joaniemckinney970]

Those tables with the resin are pretty neat! I have seen one with lights under it and that was very nice looking. I love the first big book match at the end,WOW! Epic! On a more personal note, I hope your hunny doesn't mind, and I am sure she will agree...Retirement looks good on you! You seem so much more calm and relaxed. It's a good vibe! Can't wait to see the tables! Take care! Joanie and Ger Bear

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Joanie! I really like the look of the LED tables when they’re done right. I have some slabs that I’m going to build a desk out of for myself and it should be pretty awesome! Although I’ve been crazy busy, retirement feels great. And being 40 lbs lighter doesn’t hurt either 😉

[@waynep343]

Even the smallest of the dark chunks could be inlays for chess boards and chopping blocks..

[@robertbamford8266]

Or clocks - if people still do that.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I’m hoping to put some of the smaller pieces together to turn on my lathe.

[@kevintulak9987]

I am excited for you, there are some great projects in your future. I just finished making a wine rack out of live edge walnut that I have had laying around for years. It was odd shapes and small pieces that forced me to be creative, but it was a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

That’s awesome, Kevin! Some of these pieces are going to require a little creativity as well.

[@tomsommer54]

I give you credit for trying on the walnut. We use logs like that for fire wood here in Arkansas. We have so many to choose from here.

[@ryanallen4939]

Thanks so much for sharing! I spent a week up around St-Sauveur in Québec, helping out, getting trees off the powerlines. Maybe nothing as unique as those pieces but, if anyone wants free logs just head up there, plenty for everyone. Trees on the ground everywhere.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Free logs are my favorite!

[@mcpiddler1135]

I really enjoy watching your videos. Thanks for going to the trouble to make them.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! For some reason this one took a really long time to edit. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@theron1219]

Those smaller pieces could make some awesome European mounts or side tables! Great video as always, keep ‘em coming👍

[@clementsconsulting9216]

Mmmm bacon! I just picked up some 18" x 11' walnut logs and can't wait to open them up. Great video, thanks for sharing. Michael

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Oh man! Those sound like perfect logs.

[@davidsellars646]

I'm glad you are showing this. There is hardly ever a chunk of wood so ugly that there isn't something striking inside it, Sometimes the hardest thing is finding a way to clamp it in the mill.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you and you’re exactly right. I left in the all of the setup struggle on purpose.

[@Lou.B]

Freakin' gorgeous!!! Thanks for your work!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!!!

[@jimmowers7675]

Great looking walnut. It’ll make some cool looking tables. Thanks for sharing. God Bless.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Jim! I have some ideas😀

[@edition-deluxe]

English Walnut--the nastier the tree, the better the wood, but I am a wood turner and LOVE gnarly stuff! Also the slabs can be amazing, even ones with big rot, if you don't mind using epoxy.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I’m just getting into epoxy. It’s an expensive learning process. I haven’t turned wood since high school wood shop but I’m looking do do some soon.

[@oldschoolmachinist1938]

Hey Jason, You got some REALLY NICE pieces out of those logs. As for the pieces that came out of the second log, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and I'm sure a lot people are looking. Now that you're working for yourself I am expecting at least 2 videos a week from you,😆😆. Stay safe and as usual waiting to see more videos.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Oh man, Mark! I thought I’d have all kinds of time to make videos after leaving work but I’ve been busier than ever before!😂

[@floydbrennan9300]

Awesome job can't wait to see what's coming

[@markhawkins8566]

I’m sure glade u doing more videos I in joy them I’ve got some old logs like that I’m gonna have to cut them up and see

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Mark! Don’t let those logs go to waste.

[@russwideman9623]

Nice looking boards Jason!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Russ!

[@craignash4736]

Just freakin Awesome video. Thanks. Craig Pa

[@williamellis8993]

Some beautiful wood to work with Jason. I'm looking forward to your upcoming videos. Glad the GoPro survived. As you already know, I'm subbed to Gary's channel. Bill

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Bill! I broke down and bought a moisture meter so I’ll know when those slabs are ready.

[@redbonemike17]

Great video......you are correct ....there is no such thing as a junk piece of wood .

[@alphonseroy421]

Perfect for a wrap around bar top with that English walnut !

[@singleshot2218]

That’s some beautiful wood bud! I really didn’t think you’d get much from those pieces. God bless, take care and stay safe! 🙏🎚🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! Definitely not as boards but as gun stock blanks and smaller craft pieces, I think they’ll work great.

[@mnaylor1126]

beautiful stuff I just got my hands on some English walnut can't wait to get it on my mill

[@ruthscogin2045]

Nice work!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Ruth!

[@nyahkiley4025]

Wow was really surprised how nice those came out looking at the very end, well done.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! We’ll see how they dry. Hopefully we end up with some nice projects.

[@russellevans2446]

I might have continued to mill the first setup. Those slabs would have made some really neat curved bartops.

[@ralphpezda6523]

I don't think I would have flipped it near the 12:40 mark but no one can say your strategy was wrong. The log set the limits. Very nice figure overall.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I think I was aiming for book matched slabs but we’ll see once they’re dry.

[@MessyTimes]

*Messy Times* had our studios outfitted with Black Walnut carvings!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

My kids are really interested in carving. Maybe some walnut is a good place to start.

[@michaelmixon2479]

I really enjoy your channel! Had to subscribe. I think you did what you could with the really messed up piece and got some decent slabs out of it.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you. Michael! We’ll see how they dry😉

[@josephpeters2367]

Wow very impressive 👏 good job

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Joeseph!

[@gregwitkamp5583]

Beautiful Walnut, always interesting

[@RichardCook]

Wow that stuff just pops when you open it up. Glad to see your doing what you love to bad i wont get the chance to work with you again but who knows we live in the same area we may run in to each other. Also i occasionally come across good wood i will keep you in mind!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, Buddy! I’ll take whatever you find😉

[@1rustytree]

Last 3 or 4 logs you got into have been beautiful!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! I have a few more from those trees to get through hopefully soon.

[@johngatten2925]

Definitely a productive worthwhile day of sawing and saving beautiful wood

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I ended up with some nice pieces for sure!

[@edadpops1709]

Slick trick with the sacrficial board. Norm would be proud 😆

[@NorthwestSawyer]

😂

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

I'm always pleased for you when gorgeous wood comes off the mill. It will serve you well and we will get to see some end results.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! It may be a while but I’m sure good things will come from this wood.

[@singleshot2218]

Great looking wood for what it was. God bless, take care!🎚🙏🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@gregmislick1117]

You need one of those wide drywall taping knives - say 14" - for cleaning off the dust after a cut - seems to the be fastest option I've seen others use.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Jason, Guess you never know what you have until you cut it open. There were some nice slabs in there. Looking forward to what you can make of them. You and your family stay safe.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Don! You can’t judge a book by it’s cover as they say.

[@roberthagood4770]

You have some fine looking slabs there.

[@dannydrake7348]

Good stuff , I took the hitch off my LT40 just to save my shins and love the few steps I save not having to dodge that thing, I don’t move mine much but it only takes 5 minutes to reinstall and it might save it from being stolen too

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I’ve heard of guys doing this and it makes a lot of sense. I may be the next guy to do it😬

[@MessyTimes]

You're an inspiration!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@Lorddanielrushton371]

Absolutely beautiful wood. I was thinking those two small slices would make beautiful clocks.

[@cecilledbetter2715]

beautiful slabs my friend

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Cecil!

[@gregmislick1117]

The book matched slabs with the interior gap did work out pretty cool - they would certainly be "different" walnut/epoxy tables than what you usually see, and different / unique always has a market - you're on to something there

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Greg! I hope to one day be able to afford that much epoxy 😂

[@garyreynolds8676]

Beautiful color and contrast with the sap wood and the heart wood

[@robtowle1580]

Agree there no such thing as junk wood when it comes to walnut. We have recently milled some pretty ugly stuff and managed to get some decent material out of it. All the best!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Nice, Rob! I need to check out your operation some time.

[@deemdoubleu]

I buy American Walnut from a dealer here in the UK and hand make picture frames from it. My favourite wood so far, gorgeous tones when finished.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I bet they’re beautiful! I just made a coffee table a few videos ago and tried a finish I’d never used and it was amazing.

[@chuckdworak1909]

What are some beautiful pieces of wood

[@mikeprichard7933]

Nice. Really nice

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Mike!

[@catshepherd3102]

13:28 that’d make a nice wall shield for a taxidermy headmount.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

There’s something for everyone in that stack!

[@4wheelliving132]

If you could hook up with a gun stock maker the small pieces of that walnut would make some incredible gun stocks. I have a Weatherby made with wood like that and it's the nicest gun I own

[@NorthwestSawyer]

The guy who hooked me up with these logs makes gun stalks as a matter of fact. I told him to take first pick of the stack.

[@bluetoad2001]

end tables, side tables, connect two similar slabs with cross pieces in a sort of hatch pattern.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Unlimited possibilities!

[@jasondueck6302]

You just inspired me to go work on my mill 👍

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Oh man! I’ve been there. 😬

[@panders55]

Those slabs would make killer dining tables.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I hope so! We’ll see how they dry.

[@richardvonhagn5019]

You know what they look like to me? Art pieces. They hung on a wall or suspended from a ceiling and look great, after they are cleaned up a bit. Beautiful stuff

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Richard! I think I have a few ideas.

[@robertlivingstone3947]

Its great to see one of your videos

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Robert!

[@TheFabled1]

very cool

[@fricknjeep]

hi there must be walnut week . i just sawed the best walnut i have ever sawed . got some boards and gun stocks .

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I declare every week should be walnut week!😬

[@petermaguire6280]

Beautiful. Timber

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Peter!

[@JosEPh-zy3yr]

Always Fun to watch! :D

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@richhiway]

The English walnut had the slight curve and might have been good for a flintlock rifle gun stock. $$$. Also pistol grips are a option on small pieces.

[@garybarton3411]

Junk wood? I've seen punky rot garbage wood, stabilized, immersed in resin, and turned into some beautiful pieces. I've done some myself. Fun stuff.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I’m going to try my hand at epoxy here soon.

[@edition-deluxe]

NORTHWEST SAWYER: with English, just because it's white does not mean it is sapwood. The white color is just as sound as the mixed colors. This tree just takes much longer for the heartwood to darken and mature.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

That’s very interesting. I milled some English that sat as logs for several years and the wood was uniform in color but appeared to have a completely different grain. It’s actually some of the most amazing lumber I have.

[@joederochemont6219]

Its amazing how these look. I used to watch Axe Men, & I think a few seasons in they had these guys down south pulling out trees from rivers. Makes me curious to think what some of them must look like.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Joe! I almost had a line on some logs that were sunk in the late 1800s back East somewhere. A friend of mine is looking into it.

[@MrFHLH]

Might have been ugly but you got some really nice lumber, congratulations.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@karencary3312]

Beautiful walnut whatever shape. It has a home, you just have to find it.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

That is for sure! I have some Ideas.

[@charlessessions7293]

Beautiful wood 🪵 😍 👌

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I agree!😉

[@jasondavis7885]

Hey neighbor. I am having the lumber grader out next Thursday the 16th starting at 8:00 in case you want to check out the process.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Where is this? I’d like to check it out if I can.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

@@jasondavis7885 got it!

[@exotictones1054]

Beautiful boards.how thick did you cut them?good stuff.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Those are 2 1/4” and 1 1/4”

[@horsebacklumber]

Great videos, your KZbin channel is one of the reasons I got a LT35. What blades do you use when cutting wood like this?

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! Ideally you’d run a 4-7 degree blade on hardwood. All I was able to get was 10 degree blades. I just have to slow down a little. They work just fine.

[@jeffkatzer]

I do love me some black walnut.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Meeeee too!

[@richardlee2488]

Super curious to know where you got English walnut. It's pretty scarce even in England. From time to time we had people to cut their logs but mostly it was black walnut. It's not really commercial here but apparently the French harvest a fair bit but it's normally small. Maybe a byproduct of growing for the nuts. Good to see it was sound timber and lots of heartwood.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

This tree was on the edge of a farm and was kind of out on its own. A few years back we cleared an overgrown walnut orchard that had English walnut. I was just starting to mill back then and didn’t bring home nearly as much as I should have.

[@michaelborn3318]

Limbs of hardwood trees have something called "compression wood" and generally don't produce lumber that is very stable. It sure looks nice, but long term it's going to be pretty squirrely.

[@johnvaluk1401]

Gotta love the walnut. Either is beautiful however I do like me some black walnut!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I wish I had more of it to mill!

[@mikewilcox8866]

I had an ugly black walnut like that it had a limb on the left side and a big limb on the right side on the opposite end with a hole going all the way through diagonally it was a mess so I feel your pain.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

But I bet it came out nice?

[@curtisvonepp4335]

You might look into cutting gun stock Blanks next time you get a Oddball logc.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Definitely. I try to cut as big as I can and if it doesn’t work out, there’s always stuff to make from the smalls.

[@curtisvonepp4335]

@@NorthwestSawyer there's possibly to make rifle stock blanks check out the wedge size pattern

[@dougstewart6288]

Nice video, Jason. What did you use for blades on these logs? What did you typically use for softwoods?

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Doug. I’m using the same 10 degree blades for both. I don’t like to but blades are hard to come by right now. Normally a 4-7 degree blade is what I’d use on hardwood.

[@Grizz270]

not bad for junk looking wood...the trailer saw is yours when you come get it ...I may have it road worthy to tow if you wait till this rain passes

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I was going to email you again and see if anyone claimed it. I’m thinking we could pull it up into my dump trailer and haul it that way. What do you think?

[@Grizz270]

@@NorthwestSawyer it's 24 feet long

[@daleburrell6273]

9:33...AW, CRUMBS- DANGERMOUSE!!!

[@tassi13827]

Nice walnut, do you have a market for these?

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I randomly have people ask for slabs but most likely I’ll end up building something out of them for someone.

[@zaksweeney5050]

I have 6 large walnut trees I’m very new to all this one is very old and I’ll be taking it down soon, the other needs a very large brand 10-15 feet with 8-10 inch diameter what shall I do with it..? Thinking of bringing in a mobile saw mill and selling the wood.???

[@NorthwestSawyer]

It depends on how big the logs are. If they’re too big, a mobile mill won’t be able to saw them. Another thing to consider is how much you’ll spend on milling compared to how much the slabs will be worth compared to just selling the logs whole. The slabs won’t be worth nearly as much until they’re dried which takes years. You can call your closest Wood-Mizer dealer to find a local Sawyer to help you out.

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

When one is using nature as art, there is no junk. One just has to know how to put the pieces together.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Sometimes nature makes it a little easier to figure it out😉

[@FatherOfTheParty]

It looks like you're slabbing those around 6/4 or 8/4, is that right? I have some walnut logs I've been meaning to slab up but I'm just not sure if I want to wait to dry 2" thick slabs

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Mostly 8/4 on those. Sometimes I’ll do 9 so I have thicker material after I flatten them.

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Do you have a fan moving air in the shipping container?

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I do.

[@tristamsculthorpe4609]

Set yourself up on Amazon to sell walnut etc.pieces from 3/4" thickness and 1 2/2" width - anything longer than 12" is probably saleable for CRAFTS...

[@NorthwestSawyer]

That’s a great idea!

[@tristamsculthorpe4609]

@@NorthwestSawyer Good luck with that. It is REALLY difficult for people into crafts to get small pieces of high quality hardwood.

[@anthonyaldava2784]

WOW!!!

[@Rloc8773]

as a call maker, I have fun just going through the cut offs.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

What is a call maker?

[@Rloc8773]

@@NorthwestSawyer Game calls - Duck, Deer, Turkey, squirrel...

[@NorthwestSawyer]

@@Rloc8773 ahhhhh. I see. Yeah, I’m sure the small pieces are a treasure trove for you.

[@cabman86]

We have 2 dead black walnuts here I'm waiting to get the go ahead to cut down. Can't wait!

[@cabman86]

38" diameter at the base

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I’d love to get my hands on one that big.

[@cabman86]

@@NorthwestSawyer Can't wait until the park gives me the go ahead. I have a local guy with a mill and he said he would take them down for free and give me a few slabs for a finder's fee.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

@@cabman86 I love trading!

[@gregm312]

nice

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Greg!

[@Viewer19]

I don't think ypu could have done better. I like the contrast .

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! It’s beautiful stuff.

[@nwpioneer2551]

SOME OF THOSE SMALL ONES WILL MAKE GREAT CUTTING BOARDS

[@Rick-tb4so]

Why doesn't the blade cut in both directions ??

[@NorthwestSawyer]

It only has teeth on one side.

[@brucemcmillan8750]

Wow that's some nice wood ,Gopro's are tough, trypods not so much

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Unfortunately it wasn’t recording 😫

[@edadpops1709]

Do you sell online?

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Not yet but I’m working on it.

[@jbbrown7907]

Boards move easier than planks You get more too.

[@brianwestveer9532]

Yes, those were worth milling, could be some really nice epoxy tables,

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I agree! Hopefully I can afford that much epoxy 😂