These are on our property at our cabin. I'm thinking if they ever die or fall I am getting a big chain maul and making some slabs. The stump is about 42" across. I am going to harvest the burls off it this spring. I think I can get a lot of scales and flute blanks out of the stump.
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My maple burl...
- Thread starter Randydb
- Start date
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
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Search the threads on cutting and drying fresh burl. It has to be done right or it will split badly. It will take several years to dry and get ready for use.
Yes, you are right Stacy. I have a tiny bit of experience reclaiming and drying wood. Enough to have screwed up some pretty nice pieces:nightmare: and enough to have had a bit of success too.
There is a local guy named Andy who has an entire barn full of slabs who knows what he is doing and has given me advise. I put Shane Alexander onto him too. If one of those giant trees ever comes down I will get Andy to help me. Trade a couple slabs for his cutting and drying expertise.
The stump has some nice sized burls on the far side too. I am going to cut them off and set them aside to dry. I paint or wax (I was cutting the bottom 1/3 off my wife's candles until my kids caught me and ratted me out...so now I paint) the exposed surfaces and then set the pieces so air can get around them. Then it is just waiting until they are ready. With lumber or slabs the rule of thumb is 1yr/inch of thickness for air drying.
There is a local guy named Andy who has an entire barn full of slabs who knows what he is doing and has given me advise. I put Shane Alexander onto him too. If one of those giant trees ever comes down I will get Andy to help me. Trade a couple slabs for his cutting and drying expertise.
The stump has some nice sized burls on the far side too. I am going to cut them off and set them aside to dry. I paint or wax (I was cutting the bottom 1/3 off my wife's candles until my kids caught me and ratted me out...so now I paint) the exposed surfaces and then set the pieces so air can get around them. Then it is just waiting until they are ready. With lumber or slabs the rule of thumb is 1yr/inch of thickness for air drying.