Black Walnut Wood turning??....pic heavy

[timberman22]

I have a 4"x10"x12' long "mantle" of Black Walnut that was cut out of the Congaree Swamp back in 1977 by my uncle. This walnut has been sitting in a barn for 36 years. My uncle had everyone in my family a mantle cut, pictures of mine planned and 3 coats of linseed oil are below. This was an extra one that we never used in the family.

To make a long story short I'm trying to figure out the best grain direction for trumpet call blanks and pot call blanks etc. I have made a couple of cuts below and was curious of the wood turner's opinion of which would be the best direction to cut. I am hoping some of the local SC custom call makers would be interested in some of this wood since it came locally from the Congaree Swamp.

Here are the pictures of different cuts I have made. I did spray a little H2o so the grain would pop for the pictures.



This was cut the full 12' length direction vertical. I like this one the best.




This was cut the full 12' direction horizontal.



This was cut the 10" direction which contains the tight grain and also part of the pith of the tree.



My mantle from this walnut. Planned and 3 coats of Linseed oil.

[Rick Howard]

I may be the minority but Im not a fan turning crosscut.  I would rip it all.  Just my opinion.

Im not an expert but I have a little experience cutting trees into boards.  I'm not sure what your asking for on cutting.  Are you asking for blanks sizes or just plain how to cut it into size?  What to you have to cut it with? 

[WillowRidgeCalls]

A straight horizontal cut grain will produce the best sounding calls, that's why you always see a horizontal grain cut for box calls. For pots and trumpets it really doesn't matter much, because they are just a sound chamber, so they can be cut which ever way you like the woods looks the best. Your horizontal cuts give you a higher pitched sound and your vertical cuts give you a deeper sounding call.

[Britton40]

I have a 4"x10"x12' long "mantle" of Black Walnut that was cut out of the Congaree Swamp back in 1977 by my uncle. This walnut has been sitting in a barn for 36 years. My uncle had everyone in my family a mantle cut, pictures of mine planned and 3 coats of linseed oil are below. This was an extra one that we never used in the family.

To make a long story short I'm trying to figure out the best grain direction for trumpet call blanks and pot call blanks etc. I have made a couple of cuts below and was curious of the wood turner's opinion of which would be the best direction to cut. I am hoping some of the local SC custom call makers would be interested in some of this wood since it came locally from the Congaree Swamp.

Here are the pictures of different cuts I have made. I did spray a little H2o so the grain would pop for the pictures.

This was cut the 10" direction which contains the tight grain and also part of the pith of the tree.

Bottom board to right of heart and middle board top left section would make good call bodies. Middle board, right side, lids. Cut a few bottoms, add some bloodwood inlay. Sweet call.

My .02