I raided the fire wood pile over at my Dad's house the other day and scored some large pieces of hickory. Processing went the same as for the oak; cutting up and removing any rot and/or critters (that I could find, that is 
)
What I didn't know was how beautiful it could be. Most was spalted, a lot was burled. All of it was rock hard. I went through 5 blades on my scroll saw (15 tooth). I also figured out how to use my electric chain saw to "plain" the "planks" to a manageable thickness for the scroll saw (4 inches).
I don't think the lacquer will make it any harder, I'm just going for removing the water with out (hopefully) any cracking.
As always, I'm open for suggestions/comments.
Jim L
)What I didn't know was how beautiful it could be. Most was spalted, a lot was burled. All of it was rock hard. I went through 5 blades on my scroll saw (15 tooth). I also figured out how to use my electric chain saw to "plain" the "planks" to a manageable thickness for the scroll saw (4 inches).
I don't think the lacquer will make it any harder, I'm just going for removing the water with out (hopefully) any cracking.
As always, I'm open for suggestions/comments.
Jim L