Advice needed on cutting up logs

**davo284** · 26th November 2004, 06:36 PM

Hi all, long time reader, first time poster (poor joke I know!)

anyway, recently I cut down some dead trees on my property (according to the tree man they are Black Wattle - they definitely hardwood though, I know that!) and I had the idea of taking some of the smaller diameter logs and cutting beer coasters out of them.
My question is though, what is the best way of cutting them and what is the best machinery to use. Most of the logs are about 120mm in diameter and my table saw is unable to cut them through in one go meaning that I have to cut them twice and due to Mother Nature not making her tree branches perfectly straight I am ending up with a coaster that has varying thickness as it goes around. Ideally I would like to be able to cut them through in one hit at a set thickness every time.

Any suggestions please...

Cheers
Davo

**Optimark** · 26th November 2004, 08:03 PM

You could use a mitre box with a saw carriage and a mitre saw.

Simple solution and if you only cut ½ a dozen every evening it won't take too long to get a full table set.

Mick.

**seriph1** · 28th November 2004, 09:37 AM

set up a small table with some of that anti-slip material on it hold to each coaster firmly in place - make up a small square frame (like a picture frame) just bigger than the size of the coaster - the thickness you want is: your coasters final thickness PLUS the shallowest plunge depth of your router - place a straight cutting bit in your router (ideally one with a clooar or bearing, but it will still work) and rest it on the frame - then move the router over the coaster-blank to get a clean perfectly flat surface....... this assumes you have these tools of course, and that the "other side" of the coaster is already flat.....if it isnt then you start with one side, then flip it and deepen the plunge slightly .... let me know if I am making any sense

**Rocker** · 28th November 2004, 11:25 AM

Davo,

I think you will be wasting your time making coasters out of the logs, unless they are properly seasoned, which will take a long time. Otherwise they will certainly split owing to tangential shrinkage. If you are prepared to wait two or three years, and you paint the ends of the logs to prevent rapid escape of moisture (and consequent splitting), your plan may work.

Rocker

**E. maculata** · 28th November 2004, 11:39 AM

I second Rockers' thoughts on timber movement under these circumstances.

**seriph1** · 28th November 2004, 12:43 PM

being such thin slices etc. couldnt you just make sure to encapsulate them in lacquer and seal them from losing any further moisture?

**glock40sw** · 28th November 2004, 12:53 PM

G'day All.
I have dried round sections from logs 200mm dia x 25mm thick.
I used a heap of Stainless Steel hose clamps joined to gether around the piece.
As they dried I would tighten the clamps every 4 hours.
This gave minimal cracking and the round sections stay together fine once dry.
Hooroo.
Regards, Trevor
Grafton

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