Worlds Toughest Burl

**Willy Nelson** · 22nd June 2014, 11:46 PM

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen

We quite often visit a farm about two hours East of Perth for shooting, motorbikes, chainsawing and camping. A few months ago, I found a huge dead Wandoo tree, chockers full of burls, plus two mammoth burls. Every time I visit the farm, I slice a few more slabs off the big burls (i have all the smaller ones now). The timber is stunning. However, I need to sharpen the chain (36 inch) standard 038 Stihl chain, sharpened at 30 deg, for every slab, and 1/2 a tank of fuel (660 magnum). The timber is incredibly dense, heavy and kills chainsaws, despite the 36 inch being relatively new. I have posted some other photos of this Wandoo in the Turners forum, and possibly here, but the saga continues.

This has been going on for months, so instead of hand sharpening, as I suspected my chains aren't as sharp as they should, I borrowed a mates chainsaw chain grinder. Does an excellent job, so armed with two new chains, we set off for a shooting weekend, supplemented by a bit of Wandoo Burl Hunting. My accomplices are also wood turners and were very keen to see the Worlds Toughest Burl.

Anyhow, I lined up the mighty 660 Magnum into the burl, fired her up and introduced the chain into the timber, heaps of large shavings were coming off, I thought great, I got licked now, but about a 1/3 of the way, the saw started slowing. By the end of the slab, it was dust coming off. This was the biggest slab so far, and nearly a full tank of fuel. My mate laughed at the little 660, and decided an 088 would do the trick. Well he got his slab, but his blade is buggered now, Ha ha, Burl wins again.

In summary, the burl is clean, no sand, dirt ot termite activity, we know how to sharpen, the saws are well maintained, it just that these burls are Bloody hard. Worse still, the tree has been dean approximately 15 years on the ground, and further I get into the burls, the wetter they are, so I am not even cutting dry Wandoo!!!!!!

You will notice, that one slab is being carried by two young fellows, the photo is deceiving. Both these lad are 6' 2'', my son weighs 102 kilos.

I estimate, about 1 ton of burl material remains!!!!!

Oh yeah, I turn some a while ago, lost 3 inches off my bowl gauge from sharpening

. I was tempted just to burn it, I DID NOT enjoy turning, but the timber is stunning. The second bowl was easier, but Crikeys, this stuff is Tough.

Sincerely

Willy
Jarrahland (which is like butter compared to the concrete and steel trees commonly referred to as WANDOO)

**BobL** · 23rd June 2014, 12:40 AM

Willy, If you think it might help post a close up pic of your chain cutter (fully side on) and I'll give you a diagnosis.
Like this (ignore red lines)
Worlds Toughest Burl-chevytown2-jpg

**HazzaB** · 23rd June 2014, 12:55 AM

Hey Willy,

That stuff sure is HARD we use it in the Helmet of our Pile Drivers, Jarrah lasts about 6-8 months, Wandoo has lasted about ten years (Still Going)

Hey Bob, it's not the chain, it's just bloody hard, when we have to use Wandoo we factor in a few extra chains for the job, you can see the chips changing shape as you get into the log.

HazzaB

**dai sensei** · 23rd June 2014, 04:06 PM

Knowing the sandy country that stuff grows in, it could be the high silica content, taking the edge off your sharpness.

**Willy Nelson** · 23rd June 2014, 09:13 PM

Hello Gents
Bob, You are the expert with chains, but I am pretty happy with the 36 inch either hand sharpened or machine sharpened. Having said that, I may drop it down to Stihl for a touch up and set the raker height.

As Harry said, the sawdust changes dramatically from great shavings at the start of the slab to dust towards the end (albeit, big dust).

I also believe that Neil may be correct in the high silica content, but I can see high silica content in Jarrah as it has a 'sparkle' to it.

In summary, I think it is just BLOODY Hard.

Oh yeah, found the photos I had posted previously of the uncut burls.

Willy

Jarrahland

**BlackbuttWA** · 24th June 2014, 11:12 AM

I will be interested to see how your chisels handle these burls Willie.
I reckon you will be spending as much time on the grinder as you will on the lathe.

Good luck

Stay sharp

Col

**Willy Nelson** · 27th July 2014, 11:22 PM

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen

I finally managed to get some time in the shed and do some carving with this burl. They came up superb, but completely different to what I thought Wandoo Burl should look like. I am sure it is Wandoo, as all trees on this farm, in this area are Wandoo, Jarrah or Marri, but the grain is bizarre, so I now I have some doubts as to what it may actually be.

I would be keen to hear some peoples opinions of what it might be,
Sincerely
Willy
Jarrahland

**Bennetts Timber** · 29th July 2014, 12:07 AM

Hi Willy

love the wandoo carving. We use it for firewood and it burns at least twice as long as jarrah. I cut a very green log on my bandsaw and it cut pretty good. With a bit of confidence I decided to take on another log. This one had been down for about 6 months. Had about 1" sun cracks. The bandsaw didn't even make the first cut. It is sensational wood though.

**Willy Nelson** · 29th July 2014, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Bennetts Timber

Hi Willy

love the wandoo carving. We use it for firewood and it burns at least twice as long as jarrah. I cut a very green log on my bandsaw and it cut pretty good. With a bit of confidence I decided to take on another log. This one had been down for about 6 months. Had about 1" sun cracks. The bandsaw didn't even make the first cut. It is sensational wood though.

Hello Mr Bennetts Timber

Noting you are a man in the Timber business, do you think this is Wandoo? Have you seen anything like it before, I would be keen to hear your opinion

Thanks
Willy
Jarrahland

**nifty** · 29th July 2014, 08:53 PM

Yep Willy that is wandoo burl. Being that colour Im guessing the tree was in a bit of rocky country. Ive seen wandoo go from a pale pink to a chocolate brown.
You will find the reddish colour wandoo to be quite ok to cut. wWhen you see one heading into a brown colour.. such as your burl… "Look out" It will be hard..

Nifty

**Willy Nelson** · 30th July 2014, 12:13 AM

Yes mate, quite rocky country, or more precisely, pea gravel.

The thing with these burls is the leopard spots, I have never seen them before

Willy

**Willy Nelson** · 30th July 2014, 12:19 AM

Here a couple of more pictures which may show the spots better
Willy

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