Thread: Red Gum Bar Top

A jigsaw hasn't got a hope, aside from grunt I don't think you can even buy a blade long enough.
Given that it's only a one-off job, your best bet is probably just to mark it out and go around it with a hand saw in a series of small sections, then blend to the final shape with a belt sander.

image.jpgMaybe, just maybe, you can do it with a jigsaw. You can get long and course blades like the one I used for my Crows Ash Benchtop. Just take it easy and give the jigsaw a chance to rest and cool down. You will still need to finish as elanjacobs suggests.

Pete.

You can buy long blades for reciprocating saws. Drill out elongated holes to accept the blade, Rough cut the hole out then sand/chisel etc to exact size.

Not sure if this would work, but a large circle cutting jig for router, a loooong straight bit, and lots of passes.

Then to bevel, a bevel bit (Hoping you don't want the full depth bevelled).

I wouldn't try that. It will end in grief or bodily damage or both. It's just too long a router bit for a hand held router. Even if you dropped the cutter a few mm each cut, it could still grab on the longer passes. I still reckon a jigsaw, power plane and then a belt sander. That way you always have control.

Pete.

This is a different task and it will take an experienced woodworker to do a good job.

To cut the slab to length you need to use a circular saw to do it in 2 cuts 40mm on either side. The cut will be rough so you need to find ways to finish it off. To me I would use routers, jigs and hand tools.

To cut the bevel see how I did it here https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...48#post1449648


Let us know how you go.

Hi there,
I agree with Elan, I'd use a handsaw and take your time. An angle grinder with sanding disc to blend the cuts, then a belt sander to finish.

Good luck

Originally Posted by Gazman1968

Gents,

I have a slab of kiln dried red gum I bought 20 years ago from a saw mill in Yarra Valley that went out of business, well stored, still nice and flat.
3000 X 800 X 80.
I want to make bar, cut out part round section at one end shaped to wine barrel metal ring, to fit over top of wine barrel serving as one ends "legs". I will use one of metal wine barrel hoops fixed to slab.

I am trying to find way of cutting wood, 80mm thick I was thinking of using jigsaw but don't know which to use? OR How else to cut, it needs to be cut on angle/bevel. I personally can't see how a jigsaw could have enough grunt to do job but what are options?

Cheers Gazman

I would find a place with a band saw. Men's shed, local CIT, local woodwork shop or quality timber supplier. They will probably do it for a few dollars and might even do it for nothing just out of curiosity.

If you were in Canberra, I would let you use mine...

20 year old hardwood will be hard as nails... Harder! electric hand tools may even be dangerous while making such a cut.

Do you even need to make a cut? - a rough edge or square cut will look fine over a round barrel... If it was me, I would not make the cut at all.

Jorge

I do stuff like this with big slab top tables and have some decent sized machinery in the work shop and I wouldn't use any of them for this .

I would mark it out then cut off sections with the chain saw , until I get within 5 to 10 mm of the line , then Id walk around it with the hand held electric planner over on its side and free hand it with that . Then I'd spoke shave it and cabinet scrape it.

You may even find The chainsaw by itself, does the job well , then onto the hand tools.

If you don't have a chain saw and a planner, and have never used them , Don't do it yourself .

The Planner on its side will kick a bit, but with a bit of practice you get used to it .

Make sure you don't have chords or anything hanging from around your neck while doing this. I saw one very close call with a guy and a chord coming from his Hoody . The sole of the electric planner bounced off his face while running !!

I watched a video of them building the replica of the Endevour years back and they were using planners with the huge Jarrah, shaping a Futtock http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...FYEYlAodLZcLXA
I don't actually recall them using it on its side though .

Roughing out your top this way may take half an hour



Rob

Originally Posted by auscab

The Planner on its side will kick a bit, but with a bit of practice you get used to it .

Make sure you don't have chords or anything hanging from around your neck while doing this. I saw one very close call with a guy and a chord coming from his Hoody . The sole of the electric planner bounced off his face while running !!

Rob

Exactly... Powerful Electric or Petrol Powered Hand Tools + Aged Hardwood On End Grain + Uncomfortable Awkward Set Up (sideways planing!!!???) = High Risk of Accident and Injury

Originally Posted by GarciaJ

Exactly... Powerful Electric or Petrol Powered Hand Tools + Aged Hardwood On End Grain + Uncomfortable Awkward Set Up (sideways planing!!!???) = High Risk of Accident and Injury

With no experience at using the tools Jorge I agree that the risk is High.

If you know your tools though its a different story , you can create to your ability . Have a look at the guys sculpting all sorts of stuff with chainsaws on you tube.

Rob