Walnut that is not quarter sawn........

[Kevin Sjostrand]

John Hall and others.....
What is your experience working with walnut that is rift or almost flat sawn?
I found a georgous billet that is this way with some sapwood. It will make awesome looking guitars.
I know I'll be mostly fine with the backs, but am wondering about the sides. If I bend on a solid form bender, is there going to be any problems with cupping, etc?
Thanks for your expertise info.

Kevin

[tippie53]

I found the few times I tried it cupped horribly. It May be ok with super soft but Walnut isn't that expensive so you should be able to find better stuff.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Okay, that is good enough for me. I will keep searching for that "awesome" quartersawn billet.

Kevin

[tippie53]

do you have any sawmills in your area ? That is often a great source for local woods.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

I wish John, nothing close that I'm aware of. There are many in northern Ca but that is a many hours drive for me.

Kevin

[rienk]

I wish John, nothing close that I'm aware of. There are many in northern Ca but that is a many hours drive for me.
Kevin

Kevin, there are actually a few guys who mill wood in the central valley - they'll just be small operators doing a handful of trees at a time. I know of one who is based in Fresno (I've bought some stuff from Ebay seller 'onemill101'), and then there are a couple toward the coast (Santa Margarita is one). Lots of Walnut available. My buddy just recently resawed some stuff he milled several years ago from an entire bastogne tree - I'm getting ready to use a few back and side sets from it.

Keep looking, you'll find some good sources!