MastaRob
24th July 2006, 12:20 AM
Hi!!
I decided to make a little table for my brothers wedding present, and wanted to do something really special. So I found myself a solid lump of wood, basically a tree trunk about 2 foot wide, 3 foot high, covered in burr and etc. I am going to carve into it and want to do a really interesting design.
But I have a problem, probably should have seen it coming really, but not sure how to get around it now its obvious this is going to be a big issue. First, after it was cut big cracks formed on the top surface, radial from the center of the trunk, and now I have started cutting into the sides, there are similar problems. Little cracks are forming there overnight, which will completely ruin the piece if it carries on like this.
So my question, what do I do??! The only things I can think of is to cut as much of the unwanted wood off in one go, then take it to be dried somewhere same day. Logistically difficult for me, but probably possible. Or perhaps cut it slowly, let it dry, then cut in another layer, and again and again hoping the wood will dry itself and stop cracking? Risky option. I dont know if its possible to get the whole thing treated and fully dried at present, since its obviously such a bulky piece of wood. I think this has already been done, I got the wood from a professional timber yardn and so would obviously expect this, but again being so big I guess its difficult to fully dry.
So....please help!! Its such a nice piece of wood and I have such a great idea, it would be a shame if I could not manage it.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Rob
I decided to make a little table for my brothers wedding present, and wanted to do something really special. So I found myself a solid lump of wood, basically a tree trunk about 2 foot wide, 3 foot high, covered in burr and etc. I am going to carve into it and want to do a really interesting design.
But I have a problem, probably should have seen it coming really, but not sure how to get around it now its obvious this is going to be a big issue. First, after it was cut big cracks formed on the top surface, radial from the center of the trunk, and now I have started cutting into the sides, there are similar problems. Little cracks are forming there overnight, which will completely ruin the piece if it carries on like this.
So my question, what do I do??! The only things I can think of is to cut as much of the unwanted wood off in one go, then take it to be dried somewhere same day. Logistically difficult for me, but probably possible. Or perhaps cut it slowly, let it dry, then cut in another layer, and again and again hoping the wood will dry itself and stop cracking? Risky option. I dont know if its possible to get the whole thing treated and fully dried at present, since its obviously such a bulky piece of wood. I think this has already been done, I got the wood from a professional timber yardn and so would obviously expect this, but again being so big I guess its difficult to fully dry.
So....please help!! Its such a nice piece of wood and I have such a great idea, it would be a shame if I could not manage it.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Rob