How I spent my day.

j williams

j williams

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
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Workin on the family christmas presents for all my aunts and uncles on my mothers side.

When we went to our family reunion in july, the had a huge storm that fell a bunch of trees. The house my mom and her brothers and sisters grew up in had a huge oak in the yard. I mean this thing was a monster. My mom said it was huge when they were growing up. Well, it got knocked over onto the neighbors house, and people were cutting it up. We drove by and I hopped out and asked for some of it. I took a piece of a branch that was about 2ft tall, and weighed around 300 lbs. That gives you an idea of the size of this tree. No way I could have took any of the trunk, it would have never fit in the car, AND MY MOM DRIVES A HUMMER!!!!

Well I sliced it into slices and am in the process of sanding the chainsaw marks out and finishing them. I am gonna burn the address of the old hous in it, and give them for their gifts. It was slow goin. Got 3 done though minus the finish.

Anyways, just thought id share...

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Awesome idea bud! I am trying to finish the gababy's rocking "tractor before Christmas, I should be in the shop.
 
Yeah theve been in the basement sliced up since early july. I wanted to wait as long as possible before doin anything to them so they could dry. The tree was down since early june so they arent all the way dry yet, but the cracking and stuff I dont mind, gives it Character
 
Thanks guys! Good gift, and im out 40.00 in materials for the sandpaper and finish. Still got 3 more to do. Gonna be busy!

Plus my mom said they all had very fond memories of that old tree. Had a swinging rope in it and stuff.
 
They'll love them. My neighbor got one, except they paid to have it done. I kind of looked at them in shame when they said that. (He is a carpenter, and owns all kinds of wood, and is skilled in woodwork)
 
Stencel and torch I think. I do have a woodburning set too, so Im not sure which I will use.
 
That will be a wonderful gift(s)!

Last time I got my hands on a chunk of oak trunk that was about 24 inches across, I had the dude cut me a piece about 10 inches thick. I took two gigantic steel eye bolts and put them at about 10 and 2 O'clock position and hoisted it up on a tree branch and had a knife/hatchet throwing target! Back in the early to mid-90s, I used to throw every morning when I would get home from work and every evening when I woke up. I wish I lived in a place where I could do that again... 8-)
 
Pretty cool idea! I agree it will mean way more than something store bought, this is something they'll cherish.
 
Thanks guys....They arent done yet, still sanding. A chainsaw leaves some nice gouges to smooth out. I will throw a pic of one when they are done...
 
3 finished sanding? 'Cause I don't see any burnt in numbers... :D

Great idea, those are gonna be awesome!!!
 
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