Pearwood: Do I want it or not?

I can’t imagine a pear tree being of sufficient size to mill into boards. How thick is it? here are some images of pear wood. https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1920&bih=967&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=pear+tree+wood&oq=pear+tree+wood&aq=f&aqi=g1g-S4g-mS1&aql=&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l4j0i5i24.33511.34413.0.34581.5.5.0.0.0.0.82.387.5.5.0...0.0.8a8PWupBlWQ

-- Failure does not stop me, it makes me try harder..... because I'm crazy.

Can’t say I have experience with pear trees, although I have made some nice small projects from apple and peach trees. I will say that if your going to use fruit trees, use the trunks only. The limbs will twist and bow on you when you try to use them because of the tension in the limbs.

-- I don't make mistakes, I have great learning lessons, Greg

Russell,

To quote the owner “it’s frickn’ huge”.

Maybe it’s not pearwood? I’m thinking I may need a little more info here.

The backup plan is a birch he is cutting down in a week or two. I plan on DEFINITLY trying to get that one.

-- Beer, Beer, Thank God for Beer. It's my way of keeping my mind fresh and clear...

Rule 1. Never say no to free wood.
Rule 2. Never say no to free tools
Rule 3. Never say no to anything else free.
Rule 4. Never say no to a girl who insists on paying half.
Rule 5 . Pay extra attention to rule 1, worst case is you sell on as firewood.

Pear it is a fine grained wood, turns beautifully, planes and sands well.

-- ... Never Apologise For Being Right ...

I know a few turners have taken pearwood and turned them into bowls. Haven’t heard about it being used for other types of projects.

-- Mike ---- Visit my woodworking blog: http://sawdustnewbie.com

BigYin,

I was kinda thinking that myself, especially after he said it was a large log.

That, plus the birch, should make a nice little stash of wood. I’ll probably mill it 4/4 and 8/4. You can go pretty much anywhere from there.

Now if I can just get them moved… Solar Kiln, here I come!!! ;)

Milo

-- Beer, Beer, Thank God for Beer. It's my way of keeping my mind fresh and clear...

Be sure to seal endgrain well for drying. I seem to remember reading that it is prone to checking. I believe it ranges from pretty mild grain looking like beech all the way to spectacular.

-- Woodworking shouldn't cost a fortune: http://lowbudgetwoodworker.blogspot.com/

Here’s something I found:

“First published in British Woodworking Magazine July 2008

Pear wood is one of the most sensual and satisfying of hardwoods that a furniture maker can encounter. The structure of the wood is hard, so hard that the sharpest of tools are required to work it. This allows you to cut the finest of details and form the most delicate of shapes. Pear wood is also, unlike almost any other hardwood, without figure. I say without figure meaning without the usual graphics of timber. Pear wood is a timber that hasn’t lines running through it, but instead has a colour shift. The general colour of pear wood is almost dark fleshy colour, pinky brown is a favourite description. That colour can shift orangey or purpley brown on either side of the main colour. On rare occasions you can get dark purple, blacky contrasting heartwood colour but that is rare. Generally the colour of pear wood is a fleshy pink.”

There is more information at the original page.

-- Best regards, Jack -- I may not be good, but I'm slow -- www.BarnhillWoodworks.com

Milo

I remembered … Pear wood is used for top end saw handles.

look here http://www.wenzloffandsons.com

shorty

-- ... Never Apologise For Being Right ...

I have a similar offer right now. The trunk is probably 8 inches in diameter. I’m not one to turn down wood. I figure I’ll make chisel handles. I know the local turners were interested in it. Pear is really pretty.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

James Krenov was also known to fairly often use pear wood in his pieces.

-- Best regards, Jack -- I may not be good, but I'm slow -- www.BarnhillWoodworks.com

Milo, it is very hard for me to turn down free timber. So, I’d say if you can get it and have room for it, there’s no reason not to.

I have learned some lessons though. Some free trees aren’t even firewood worthy. Also, I’ve heard owners say that the log is “frick’n huge” before. I show up and the log is 20” in diameter. I don’t even think anything under 30” is big. Then again, I usually slab 40-52” wide logs. Relative I guess.

Get it and the birch.

-- "Well, at least we can still use it as firewood... maybe." - Doss

Milo,

Hey, you can get the wood, etc. make a small box out of it for testing… if it turns out GOOD, make some more boxes, etc.
... else, burn it… LOL (Firewood isn’t cheap… LOL)

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"

Totes and knobs, chisel handles, saw handles, plumb bobs…...the uses go on.
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

Bill White... there ya go! YES!

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"