Wood quality question

[Stmcglynn]

Hello all,

I just milled down some self cut/dried wood for a stem, and am concerned in the quality. The tree appeared straight and clean, but now I’m not so sure. This is about 2x4 (actual) so I can slice off the edges still, but is the grain stable enough for a stem? If the longer lengths I have look similar, would they be stable enough for inwales/outwales?

Thank you in advance,

 

[Dan Miller]

There is a lot of reaction wood and grain runout. Doubt you will have much success with this chunk of wood.

 

[Dave Osborn]

Maybe good for a keel, but I doubt it will bend successfully.

 

[Stmcglynn]

How about for thwarts or seats?

 

[mccloud]

I have used chainsaw cut, hand-tool shaped, air dried chestnut oak for gunwales and keels, but I did not mill it into dimensional lumber. Rather, I used a saber saw to 'follow the grain' along a board, taking advantage of the natural curvature as much as possible. This worked. As of 5+ years I have not observed problems. Seats and thwarts would be easy to replace if you observe problems, so I would use some of the choice sections of your lumber for these purposes. Stems not so much. I wouldn't take that risk. TM...

 

[Dave Wermuth]

that would break if it was in my shop. have you thought of resawing thin laminations and glueing the lams into the stem shape? That would work.