Maple Blanks - identify......

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RogerGarrett

RogerGarrett

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I had the rare opportunity to get to a downed tree last week - a maple on the other side of town. [8D] Sadly, most of it was useless - lots of termite infestation :(- and it was heavily - I mean HEAVILY spalted. However, I was able to use the chain saw to get some that I am picturing here. It this what is called ambrosia maple? Or is that a tree type?

This is just a small sample of what I was able to get - and it is still a few weeks at least from being dry. I heard someone mention freezing the stuff - how long does it take to dry it out? Microwave.....is that recommended? Or - I can just put it in my shop and wait patiently.

Best,
Roger Garrett

200666191958_Maple%20Blanks%20resized.jpg
 
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This doesn't look like the ambrosia maple I've seen. My understanding is that ambrosia maple is a maple tree that was infested by ambrosia beetles, which leaave characteristic red stripes in the wood. The pieces you have there are pretty neat though...I love the color variations!
 
I'm glad you pointed out what Ambrosia is - I have so many holes in my understanding of wood, etc.....

These pieces are pretty nice - I'm just hoping they remain that way as they dry. I put a few in the microwave - and they really did dry out fairly quickly - is this a recommended process?

I wonder if anyone might be interested in trading blanks.........I have several of these and would be interested in exploring like quality for quality.

On a new note - the local city yard has given me permission to visit with my chain saw - and I saw a number of burls - could be a nice result - if I don't cut my damn foot off in the process.

Best,
Roger Garrett
 
By the color of the cambrium (under bark) I would guess that it is soft maple (Red Maple). Also between the heart and sap wood there is a distinct line that is a different color. This may be what is called "shake", a seperation of the growth rings which can easily come apart. You may take one witht grain going crossways and try to break it apart to check. Pretty stuff, good luck with it.

Christian
 
Being already cut into blanks it should dry fairly rapidly. A few weeks in a heated/air conditioned room should bring them pretty close. If in doubt, about 30 seconds in the microwave will finish it.
 
I would agree with the red maple answer. This time of year I am putting trays if blanks in my garage attic. I make trays from 1x3's with aluminum screen for the bottom. The back window of the car also works great. It sits in the sun in the parking lot 8 hours a day, they calms down overnight. Just be sure to take the tray down before driving. If you would get a bump from behind, the tray will be against the back of your head![:(!] If I'm in a hurry, I give them short 30 second blasts in the microwave. Watch the steam when you open the door. It's easy to get a steam burn, or a smack in the back of the head again. But this time it's the wife's rolling pin from using her microwave again and stinking up the kitchen!![}:)] The microwave is also good for killing any critters that come home with the wood. Ambrosia always has a single small hole in the middle of a color stripe. The stipes are also narrow and cover large areas.
 
Drying blanks in the car will work but depending on the wood...this may not be a good idea.

Some wood have acidic (corrosive) sap and they do evaporate. I've read stories how these mess up electronic connections (as well as other metals).

I don't have first hand experience but just throwing a flag of caution in case others are planning on trying it.

BTW, same goes with microwaving wood....that is why it is advisable that you place them in a plastic bag/container and let them evaporate OUTSIDE the microwave. Not sure if this is the culprit but I may have fried one microwave circuits already. [B)]
 
I actually prefer that piece of Cocobolo the blanks are sitting on[:p]

I agree, it looks like red maple with sapwood. I would wax them up right away if you are going to air dry it. Sapwood contains an awful lot of moisture and can really warp if not dried correctly.
 
I'm with Bill on the cocobolo.[:D] Ambrosia in planks will always have worm holes in the dark wood. This does look like heartwood. Maple is wierd stuff and sometimes, it gets dark wood running through it, that is unique. I have a really curly spalted maple board, with ambrosia in it too. I also think there's some heartwood, but some of the markings don't make sense. My friend makes cutting boards for big bucks with it, but I wouldn't want to cut food on it. It may be harmless though. I don't know.
This may make interesting pens. When I get that dark stuff in my blanks, I just put them in my scraps pile. A lot of folks got them last week, maybe someone will post pics of their pens.
Rob
 
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