INVENTORY:
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Ordering Wood Slices
We are NOT accepting custom orders
at this time. Why? Read below...
Shipping Costs?
To find out what the cost of shipping will be, simply add a few items to your shopping cart, enter in your zip code, and chose a shipping method. The wood slices are pre-weighed. The shopping cart will automatically calculate shipping costs based on the total weight of the product and your zip code. We do not ship wood outside of the USA. All international wood orders will be cancelled and refunded.
For custom orders, it is impossible for me to estimate shipping costs to your zip code before cutting the wood. Species of wood, condition (new vs. old), or whether it is treated all affect the weight of the wood. Options like priority and parcel shipping also affect the cost.
For custom orders, it is impossible for me to estimate shipping costs to your zip code before cutting the wood. Species of wood, condition (new vs. old), or whether it is treated all affect the weight of the wood. Options like priority and parcel shipping also affect the cost.
How much lead time do you require?
It's funny. Nobody ever, ever asks me that! I'll answer it anyway. At least a 3-4 month lead time for large orders, plus shipping time.
Keep in mind that Rustic Woodworking is a part-time business. I have a regular job during the week and weekend that pays the bills. I may be in the middle of fulfilling another order, harvesting wood, or cutting inventory for my website.
If you're looking for new wood, 500 slices or so, if I can do it, it will take a month to harvest and haul the wood into the shop. (I work part-time) If it's winter time, it will need to thaw out, so add another week or two for that. Green wood has to be treated to prevent cracking and to make sure that I'm not sending you bugs, beetles or worms. That takes a while, as I am only able treat so many slices at one time. Then they have to dry, which will take at least another month, maybe more, depending on thickness. I will not ship wet, green wood. I have several calls from people who received their moldy wood from another supplier and asked me how to fix it.
If you want one slice, or just a couple, and you need it tomorrow, you are out of luck. I can't dig out a log from the pile, cut it up for a slice or two, and sell it for $5.00. If I am currently cutting an order that is similar to what you want, I'll try to fit your order in. It is absolutely unprofitable for me to cut a couple slice custom order. I hope you understand.
I do understand that most people don't understand how wood works, and I'll try to provide you with what you want, however I will not compromise the quality of my wood products.
Keep in mind that Rustic Woodworking is a part-time business. I have a regular job during the week and weekend that pays the bills. I may be in the middle of fulfilling another order, harvesting wood, or cutting inventory for my website.
If you're looking for new wood, 500 slices or so, if I can do it, it will take a month to harvest and haul the wood into the shop. (I work part-time) If it's winter time, it will need to thaw out, so add another week or two for that. Green wood has to be treated to prevent cracking and to make sure that I'm not sending you bugs, beetles or worms. That takes a while, as I am only able treat so many slices at one time. Then they have to dry, which will take at least another month, maybe more, depending on thickness. I will not ship wet, green wood. I have several calls from people who received their moldy wood from another supplier and asked me how to fix it.
If you want one slice, or just a couple, and you need it tomorrow, you are out of luck. I can't dig out a log from the pile, cut it up for a slice or two, and sell it for $5.00. If I am currently cutting an order that is similar to what you want, I'll try to fit your order in. It is absolutely unprofitable for me to cut a couple slice custom order. I hope you understand.
I do understand that most people don't understand how wood works, and I'll try to provide you with what you want, however I will not compromise the quality of my wood products.
Why can't wood be shipped internationally?
There are import/export rules in place. Each country has their own set of rules, but in general they prohibit the importation of raw wood, especially if it has bark on it. They classify it as a "plant-like" material, and may contain bugs, beetles, worms or something else that they do not want imported into their country. Most also prohibit the use of wood shipping pallets for the same reason. Since it is virtually impossible for us to find out the exact rules and regulations for each individual country, we decided not to ship internationally at all. All international orders for wood will be immediately refunded. The only items we can ship internationally are the finished wood products that have been treated and varnished, and, of course, our E-Z Log Tenon Cutter Tools.
What is spalt?
Spalt is a battle amongst fungi living in the wood during the decay process. It can be absolutely beautiful if you catch it in time, and depending upon what type of fungi is battling for their territory. Spalt can yield beautiful colors of pink, blues, but mostly are black or gray lines. Those black lines are barriers that the fungi build to keep the other fungi out of their territory. Anyone who is a school teacher, or wants to learn more, let me know and I'll send you some for the kids. I will help teachers to help teach kids about wood. Growth rings, spalt, bark, etc.
Wood Slice Diameters?
I suppose it would be ideal to find perfectly straight logs and branches, no blemishes, no knots, so that customers could order perfect wood slices in exact diameters. Nature doesn't work that way. We will normally list the diameter range, for example 2" to 2-1/2". If the log is not round, more of an oval shape, we list both the long and short measurements, for example 8" the long way, and 6" the short way. We always post photos of the exact product for sale, and not a generic photo. All product photos are click-able to allow the customer to see a larger version of the photo.
Extra Large Log Slices?
Every once in a while I can get my hands on a big tree that I can slice up, but normally I just slice up what I have. If I do get them, I'll post them.
How to dry birch logs for wall applications?
Drying time will depend on the diameter and length of the birch log.
Birch bark can be thick, and will really slow the drying time. If left too long in a warm, humid atmosphere, it will start to spalt quickly. You can prevent this somewhat by cutting shorter logs or poking some holes into the bark. Be sure to leave air flow between the logs. Use little sticks for spacers. Some people like spalt, some don’t. I would assume that since you are going to put them on a wall, you probably don’t want the spalt, and would prefer clear, unblemished wood.
As the wood dries, it loses moisture, shrinks, and separates from the bark because the bark does not shrink, no matter what kind of wood it is. Depending upon the type of wood, how much sap and moisture was in the wood when it was cut, and what time of year the tree was cut, the log may check and crack while drying. Each log is different.
When I want to have a perfect birch log slice, say about 6” diameter, I will only let it “dry” for a few weeks, if that. It works out best for me to cut them green (wet), and then soak them in Pentacryl. Pentacryl is a non-toxic solution produced by Preservation Solutions that replaces the water in the wood, and helps keep the wood cells from shrinking. I have been using it for years, and it works particularly well on birch. It may slightly discolor the bark, but not really noticeable. It also has a slight odor, but that dissipates quickly after dried. They also have a “Wood Juice” product made for dry wood. Go to their website and read more about it. preservation-solutions.com/wood-treatment-products
After the slices have been thoroughly coated or soaked with Pentacryl, then allow the wood to dry. Drying time will depend on the thickness of the slice. Keep the slices separated. Use an old grate or oven rack or something to stand them up so they don’t touch while drying. You can use a fan to speed it up. After the Pentacryl has dried, you can coat them with a varnish or anything you like.
If you don’t want to use Pentacryl, and coat them with a varnish instead, any oil based varnish would work, but coat both sides of the slice. If you only coat one side, humidity is drawn in from the other side if not sealed and may warp the slice if it is thin. Indoor applications can be coated with a water-based varnish, but the wood must be dry or the moisture in the wood might turn the coating white, or cloudy.
Or just go the easy route. Let the slices do what they do, crack, or whatever, like a pile of firewood, glue to your wall, tack or nail if necessary, and varnish the whole wall later. This looks great on walls next to an electric fireplace to make it look more real.
Hope this helps you!
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Sandy
Birch bark can be thick, and will really slow the drying time. If left too long in a warm, humid atmosphere, it will start to spalt quickly. You can prevent this somewhat by cutting shorter logs or poking some holes into the bark. Be sure to leave air flow between the logs. Use little sticks for spacers. Some people like spalt, some don’t. I would assume that since you are going to put them on a wall, you probably don’t want the spalt, and would prefer clear, unblemished wood.
As the wood dries, it loses moisture, shrinks, and separates from the bark because the bark does not shrink, no matter what kind of wood it is. Depending upon the type of wood, how much sap and moisture was in the wood when it was cut, and what time of year the tree was cut, the log may check and crack while drying. Each log is different.
When I want to have a perfect birch log slice, say about 6” diameter, I will only let it “dry” for a few weeks, if that. It works out best for me to cut them green (wet), and then soak them in Pentacryl. Pentacryl is a non-toxic solution produced by Preservation Solutions that replaces the water in the wood, and helps keep the wood cells from shrinking. I have been using it for years, and it works particularly well on birch. It may slightly discolor the bark, but not really noticeable. It also has a slight odor, but that dissipates quickly after dried. They also have a “Wood Juice” product made for dry wood. Go to their website and read more about it. preservation-solutions.com/wood-treatment-products
After the slices have been thoroughly coated or soaked with Pentacryl, then allow the wood to dry. Drying time will depend on the thickness of the slice. Keep the slices separated. Use an old grate or oven rack or something to stand them up so they don’t touch while drying. You can use a fan to speed it up. After the Pentacryl has dried, you can coat them with a varnish or anything you like.
If you don’t want to use Pentacryl, and coat them with a varnish instead, any oil based varnish would work, but coat both sides of the slice. If you only coat one side, humidity is drawn in from the other side if not sealed and may warp the slice if it is thin. Indoor applications can be coated with a water-based varnish, but the wood must be dry or the moisture in the wood might turn the coating white, or cloudy.
Or just go the easy route. Let the slices do what they do, crack, or whatever, like a pile of firewood, glue to your wall, tack or nail if necessary, and varnish the whole wall later. This looks great on walls next to an electric fireplace to make it look more real.
Hope this helps you!
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Sandy
Square Footage For Wall Applications?
Recently I received a quote request for an assortment of wood slices to cover a 45 Sq. Ft. wall. The customer did not fill out the on-line contact form for species of wood, diameters, or thickness of the wood slices. How could I possibly provide a quote? If you are considering wood slices for a wall application, please completely fill out the Wood Contact Form and we will do our best to provide you with a quote.
Where do we get our wood?Just when ya think ya heard it all, one customer said she wouldn't buy my wood slices if I killed the tree. Don't worry, I hug 'em first!
We harvest trees that have recently been blown down in a storm, or had to be removed due to overhead electrical wires. We also check Craigs List from time to time to see if there is someone needing tree removal from their property. Wood found on the ground is usually highly spalted, full of bugs and worms, and the side that is laying on the ground stays wet and starts to rot quickly. Most of the time the wet side will lose its bark quickly, and generally is not suitable for slicing up. If caught in time, we may use that fallen tree to make lumber instead. |
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Do you use a kiln?
Nope. Most wood species, when sliced cross-grain, need to dry slowly to prevent cracking. I air dry my wood slices.
Custom Orders?
I am not accepting any custom orders at this time.
What I have ready to ship is posted for sale on this website.
Feel free to inquire, but unless I have the product (wood) in stock, dry, and ready to cut up, in the species and diameter that you are looking for, and enough to produce the quantity you need, on your time frame, I will decline a custom order. Please see the lead-time paragraph above.
I own Rustic Woodworking. I work a full time job on the side, 7 days a week, on call 24/7/365. Once I retire I'll be able to devote 100% of my time to Rustic Woodworking. But, for now, I can only do so much. I prefer to work at my own pace and put what I have for sale on my website. Works for me right now. I plan on making some changes to what I offer for sale in the very near future.
What I have ready to ship is posted for sale on this website.
Feel free to inquire, but unless I have the product (wood) in stock, dry, and ready to cut up, in the species and diameter that you are looking for, and enough to produce the quantity you need, on your time frame, I will decline a custom order. Please see the lead-time paragraph above.
I own Rustic Woodworking. I work a full time job on the side, 7 days a week, on call 24/7/365. Once I retire I'll be able to devote 100% of my time to Rustic Woodworking. But, for now, I can only do so much. I prefer to work at my own pace and put what I have for sale on my website. Works for me right now. I plan on making some changes to what I offer for sale in the very near future.
