The original post asked the question "is this a good find/buy?"
Did you answer that directly? My answer was the entire last short paragraph that mentioned the relevant concerns cost, engineering need, suitability of the stock and available options, of which the OP did not enlighten. So my answer is no answer unless other info comes in. That is the meaning.

I refer you to Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadley and The Wood Handbook for the basis of my expressed opinion about softwood characteristics concerning ring count, strength and specific gravity. The opinion concerning the changes due to shrinkage by moisture loss vs dry stock can be verified by the above and just about any carpentry text.

"As to "gainsay," I again apologize if I feel it applicable and appropriate to take a different perspective than you on the subject" That is directly not an apology but an affirmation of a tactic. Why not drop weasel words? To me gainsay means troll and by quoting me four times in a single post for some form of appropriate correction with misleading, non relevant and confused facts is neither helpful or clearly reasoned.

Surprised at your claim here, with the exception of your subjective preference for the working properties of green versus dry wood which is indisputable, (your experience, not the difference between the two), given the wide ranging exposures you tout.

In the interest of good order I resign from this thread.

You equate good order with clarity & debate?

Don, since you asked, yes but reflexive contradiction is neither clear nor debate. I suggest Monty Python's skit of a man going into a shop requesting an argument, he enters an office, gets abuse then states he has came for an argument and gets directed to another office where he gets gainsay and contradiction.

Meta discussion is good but represents drift and might be better handled in another thread.

Morn'n Cecile, Roger, et al...

Roger...please don't resign from the conversation...Just understand that it is supposed to be that..."a conversation."

We don't have to (nor should we) be each other's sycophants and agree on everything, nor does having different viewpoints, experiences, or understandings need to turn into debate. We don't agree or have different experiences...big deal.

Reframing my own thoughts/views around quotes from others is simply a method of clarifying an understanding of what is being said/written. There is no other motivation there, just like in a classroom, lecture, or simple "written" detailed conversation on what is suppose to be a technical forum of variously experienced professionals. So please stay, understand I respect you, but don't always agree with you...I loved Monty Python...Thanks for the memory...but my request is for erudite conversation...not argument.

Hey Cecil,

You got it...

My first love of timber framing was in barn building and restoration...As I learned more, I also became a close follower of things like the Bura Conventions on professional standards in the restoration of historic fabrics (i.e. fabric being stone, wood, earth, or whatever made up the historic object.) The ethos of Burra and related professional standards has always been..."Like for like, in means, methods, and materials," whenever it is possible to do so. As such, greenwood was the way, and from the restoration work ing old wood, I learn quickly it was much more forgiving to work in green wood than dry, just as our forebears did it.

I also then, very much, fell in love with the folk styles from most cultures of Green Woodworking in general, be it a chair, floor, bowel, spoon or any manner of domestic item.

For the OP if he/she does have a choice, I would suggest fresh wood over aged...but that's just my perspective of it...

Regards,

j

Reflexive contradiction, debate, conversation, argument..., it beats the empty active topic page because in terms of what's to choose on internet in English, I have found no better source on the topic than this Timber Guild site with the exception of lately when it became just a tool swapping site. Rodger is probably correct to conclude that blather probably is not a sustainable platform though. Where are those forum cops that used to pipe in? Ok, I'd better stop now.

I wonder Jay what you mean by fresh or green wood? Maybe limited to use as timbers, if you know what I mean because while I'm glad you have your passions, personally I don't give a hoot about carving spoons or bowels.

My posting in this forum is my thank you to the Guild for what I have gained from membership, fellowship and education. Although I am out of business, I remain in the forum to help since much was freely given to me. I fear the apathy and disconnect will one day shut the ignored forum. I appeal to all interested to post. I do not post that often because I am not comfortable posting on all matters of concern and posts that go unanswered are quietly begging for attention, who will answer?

This is an immediate method to query, answer and associate. Join in!!! If left to the few, the forum could disappear before one could wave goodbye. This is a great resource for self initiated outreach.

How much is a lot $? Are they free of heart center? Are they still straight? Using dry seasoned timbers vs fresh cut is a no brainer.They will move much less then fresh cut timbers making your finish product look much better/tighter. If they need to be resaw get them resawn. The cost of kiln drying in AK is cost prohibited. How long have they been seasoning? Feel free to give me a call.

Josh Leatherman
Precision Timberworks
www.timberframingalaska.com
907-362-7688

It seems we all have perspectives, and though in some cases it is considered poor form to validate our viewpoints, by expressing our experience this can sound...well??...grandiose or in poor form. I don't like doing it, but just too often, I am confronted by viewpoints being shared that are based on such narrow and/or limited experience within this and related crafts...that frankly I do grow quite frustrated in how dogmatic those limited views are...(and no I don't even like what I just wrote...but what the heck here goes the rest of it anyway...)

Some have heard/read this before...some haven't...but besides having apprenticed traditionally in this craft with Old Order Amish Barnwrightss from the time I was 13 til 23 years of age when I joined the US Marines...I grew up in a household (and friendships) of artisans from Textilesist and Blacksmiths...to stone carvers and ceramicists...It was a blessed gift to say the least...

So now...some 46 years of working in and around these Folk Arts including being a Timberwright that has gotten to befriend the likes of Ed Levine (whom I miss so much) and seeing beautiful frames around this globe of ours, I just like to share what I think might be a little more experience than most and perhaps a little broader exposure to the craft than many...Perhaps??

So...It is a "no brainer"...(at least from my perspective and view) that the use of...Dry Timber...to make a frame is not only outside the historical context of the craft (which it most certainly is) it is also an absolute pain in the Arse...!!!!

In closing, as per a conversation just today working with other very gifted Timberwrights on a restoration project here in Texas, this forum discussion came up over lunch. The consensus was anyone that thinks cutting a frame from dry wood is appropriate...??..(quoting here)..."...is daft or lacks understanding and experience in the craft..." (don't shoot the messenger please!) But seriously folks...the 250 plus year old dried Hemlock, Pine, Tulip Poplar, Maple, Oak, and Spruce we are working with currently is as dry as it comes and a royal pain in the kester to work with compared to green timber...just as it has been for the millenia this craft has been practiced...and the reason most (virtually all mind you) are cut in green wood...I also must take umbrage that a frame has to be full of gapes or have major issues if cut with green wood compared to dry...IT DOES NOT...if done correctly...at least our's typically don't...

Just my view, again that seems to counter with others, but I will stand behind it, and the reasonable quantity of experience I think I have...and hope some take some value in it...