Hand-Splitting Maple For Mandolins...

**pianoman89** · Jan-03-2015, 1:18am

This is too cool. Spruce, do you have an inexpensive piece of lumber suitable for a violin top? Ive got this project that needs a new top, but the arch is very flat, so the piece doesnt have to be very thick, 3/4 inch at most. If you have something like this Id rather support a fellow cafe member than buy on Ebay. The violin isnt anything real special, so Im it doesnt have to be the most desirable wood..

**Spruce** · Jan-03-2015, 2:07pm

Yep...
PM me...

**pianoman89** · Jan-03-2015, 3:43pm

Thanks spruce, pm sent!

**s1m0n** · Apr-19-2016, 9:24am

Originally Posted by Spruce

The "problem" with hand-spliting is that it's very wasteful, both with conifers and hardwoods...
Sawing-from-the-log will yield you about 1/3 more wood (that's a guess)...

This is a bit of a Frankenthread, but I'm curious about what kind of saw you use to cut billets. Chainsaw? Wood-miser? Big ol' buzz-saw?

**Spruce** · Apr-19-2016, 11:44am

Originally Posted by s1m0n

This is a bit of a Frankenthread, but I'm curious about what kind of saw you use to cut billets. Chainsaw? Wood-miser? Big ol' buzz-saw?

I use the equivalent of a Woodmiser, but the optimum way to mill hand-split billets into sets is with a good upright bandsaw...

**Seoras** · Dec-08-2019, 12:25pm

First time poster here! What a read, I was just wondering if these pictures were still available? It says they were moved or deleted? They idea of being able to cut your own wood fascinates me!

**HoGo** · Dec-09-2019, 4:48am

Originally Posted by Seoras

What a read, I was just wondering if these pictures were still available? It says they were moved or deleted?

the pics were linked from Photobucket but few years ago they made steps to prohibit such linking (so that they could earn on advertising or payents from users) so many of the older pics are now dead.
More than few makers prepare thair woot themselves. It's just matter of finding the right log and have enough time to wait till it dries once cut and stickered in your shed. Most makers prefer buying ready-to-go blanks from reputable wood cutters (like Bruce Harvie - Spruce, the OP)

**Seoras** · Dec-16-2019, 2:12pm

That’s what I figured but thought I’d ask! We got a whole lotta woods behind us here in Pei and figured it would be fun to use some fallen trees if I can get the right size. Is it best to dry in just a shed? I’d imagine you wouldn’t want them to let the moisture out to fast and could end up cracking eh?