OAK SPLITS
Seth Elliott splits these oak rivings from a log to ensure straight grained, knot-free chair parts. They are shipped green (wet), wrapped in plastic, and look like glorified firewood. We also sell pre-bent backs, if you don’t want to bend your own. Visit the resources page for seat blank sources.
I prefer to use white oak for tight bends and the straighter red oak for everything else, so that is what we’ll ship unless you specify otherwise. We ship both heartwood and sapwood parts, since sapwood is often some of the best wood in the log.
Sample Oak Prices
We make the parts to your size specifications. Parts usually arrive 1/8″ to 3/8″ larger than the finished green dimensions. Let us know if you plan to turn the parts, since turned parts need to be somewhat larger.
3/4×3/4″ Spindles: $2.50/linear foot [12″ spindles are $1.50 each]
1″x1″ Bows: $4.00/linear foot
1×2″ Bows: $5.00/linear foot [triangular cross-section][Continuous Arm w/ handholds, $30.00 ea.]
1×3″ Bows: $6.00/linear foot
1×3″ Crests: $6.00/linear foot [triangular cross-section]
2×2″ Posts/Legs: $9.00/linear foot [For ladderback chairs or bobbin turnings]
(we no longer sell planks wider than 4″)
Ordering: While we are familiar with several chair designs–especially Curtis Buchanan’s–his plans evolve over time and what you have may not match what we have. Also, each set of plans includes various options (leg styles, bow styles, etc.). For these reasons, we are unable to just “send you what you need,” but rather ask that you take the time to carefully order the correct green dimensions according to your plans. Thank you.
Timeline: Rivings are made to order and ship monthly. Orders received during the first three weeks of the month will ship during the last week of the month.
Shipping: Roughly $20-$150/package, plus a $10-$30 packing fee. We charge you what UPS charges us, so we can’t provide a better estimate until after we ship. Rivings (and maple blanks) are shipped separately from other items to prevent damage.
Billing/Payment: after shipping the order, we will e-mail you a PayPal bill for the total cost, including the wood, packing and shipping. You may also pay with a check.
Contact Seth for more info.
(Scroll Down to Order)
HARD MAPLE TURNING BLANKS (from reject baseball bat blanks)
These blanks were split, then sawn narrower and rounded in a PA bat factory. They arrive to us green (wet), then we grade the blanks for chair parts before sawing them to length and roughing them to 2-1/4″ diameter. Blanks can be stored indefinitely before turning (just make sure they don’t mold). Moisture content varies from green to air-dry, depending on our storage time (green blanks are a sheer joy to turn, air-dry blanks warp less). Regardless, they are easier to turn than kiln dried maple and the grain is straighter for strength and clean cuts (but not always as straight as handmade riven blanks).
We can supply blanks up to 38″ long (and 3″ in diameter), but the extra length may increase grain run-out and small defects. My blog post has more info about the blanks and the Greenwood Source List has info for ordering 200 blanks from the mill.
Leg – $15 (2-1/8 x 20″)
Stretcher – $14 (2-1/8 x 17″)
Arm Stump – $8 (2-1/8 x 13-1/2″)
You will receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting your order. Orders received during the first three weeks of the month will ship during the last week of the month. Once your order has been packaged, we’ll send a bill via PayPal for the wood, packing, and shipping (you can also pay via Venmo or check).
Note: This is not a money-making venture. Rather it is an attempt to make green wood more available to chairmakers everywhere.
Tools & Supplies
Storing Green Wood
Green wood can be stored in a number of ways:
- Oak spindles can be shaped then roughed to an octagonal cross section. Backs can be bent. In this state they will dry with minimal issues and keep indefinitely.
- Maple cylinders can be stored as is – just make sure they have enough airflow to prevent mold (which causes decay).
- Wrap the parts in plastic to prevent drying, then put them in the freezer and they will stay green indefinitely.
- Wrap parts in plastic, and they will keep for a few weeks in the summer (longer in the winter). Watch for mold which can lead to decay.
- Submerging wood in water will prevent decay, but the parts may eventually smell like something your dog did. This goes away after the parts are dried. Dry wood can be made green again this way.
Green Wood Source List is a crowd-sourced list of green wood suppliers around the world; log yards, sawmills and the like. Add any sources you know about!
Tips for Buying Logs
A snippet from my Rocker DVD, the log buying info starts at the four minute mark:
Read more info about storing green wood on my blog.
Read about where to find local sources of green wood on my blog.