These folk have all the big machines!

If ever I’m after an elm trunk, or maybe some spalted beech, this is the place to look! Danny Frost Timber is a furniture making and sawmilling business, specialising in local hardwoods.

Much of the wood I’ve obtained over the years has come from here. They really are an impressive outfit and are involved with all aspects of woodworking. This starts from collecting the sawn timber, right through to making a bespoke piece of furniture. In fact, any aspect of joinery work, construction and furniture design can easily be accommodated.

The first thing you notice when arriving at the yard, are the interesting piles of logs. These are waiting to be milled and are often very large in size. Oak and ash are the most common, but many others are usually in stock. These include elm, sycamore, beech, yew and chestnut – to name just a few!

The sawmilling is done on a Woodmizer – a machine I would certainly love to own! A rather large and unmanageable trunk of beech, for example can soon be cut into several useful slabs, all with the turn of a key. This machine is also portable and can be towed wherever needed.

Once sawn, the timber boards are stacked between sticks for drying. These stacks will then air dry for between one and three years, depending on the thickness of the boards. They will then spend up to two weeks in a drying kiln, enabling the timber to be used in modern homes. I can also fit a good number of bowl blanks in the kiln if I ask them very kindly!

The big shed, full of sawn timber...

The sticks make sure plenty of air passes through the stack, enabling it to dry evenly...

The drying kiln, freshly loaded with timber...

Furniture design and making are what bestows their reputation locally. They really do make some stunning pieces and the craftsmanship is second to none. The bed shown in the photo below is made from wych elm and natural edge yew – an eye catching and beautiful combination.