World record bloodwood burl

**DK Claus** · 21st February 2005, 10:11 PM

I have been fortunate enough to come across a record size red bloodwood burl. It's perfect, no significant cracks, no rot, simply perfect condition - and its BIG and oval shaped. The guy has 5 big slices left, each about eight foot long, 4 foot wide at the ends, and 2 inch thick. He also has numerous smaller slabs. I have one of the big slaps. I plan to sand it using a floor sander, then seal it completely (both sides) using .. (recommendation/suggestions please ?) and then polish it up using, say some sort of fine buffeting oil containing tung oil for better water protection and UV protection. Any suggestions ??

If interested - the guy that is selling the burl slaps is living in Crescent Head near Wauchope NSW and he can be contacted on 0412 404 076. Forgotten his email but will get it and post it within the next few days.

DK Claus

**Cliff Rogers** · 21st February 2005, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by DK Claus

.... then seal it completely (both sides) using .. (recommendation/suggestions please ?) ....

In an envelope & send it to me.....

**Tikki** · 21st February 2005, 11:13 PM

Cliff ..... whatya drinking tonight??????

**conwood** · 22nd February 2005, 01:56 PM

There's a two part very high gloss finish available. Don't have the info on me at moment, but if you are interested, i can get iit for you.

conwood

**ozwinner** · 22nd February 2005, 06:50 PM

World record??

Where else does it grow??

Al :confused:

**bitingmidge** · 22nd February 2005, 08:00 PM

I'm sure I've seen pictures of it growing on the World Wide Web.

P

**snappperhead** · 22nd February 2005, 08:05 PM

forget gloss, you want the finish to compliment the timber, not dominate it

**ozwinner** · 22nd February 2005, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by DK Claus

the guy that is selling the burl slaps is living in Crescent Head

Is he a pimp??

Al :confused:

**DK Claus** · 22nd February 2005, 10:18 PM

I have to compliment you lot - very creative and very observant. I might have to share a slap of beers with you lot one happy day. However, the winner so far is Snapperhead, seriously. I like your style "compliment the timber not dominate it". Any suggestions ? I thought my suggestion .. to use fine buffeting oil would have flushed out a few brave comments & suggestions. Keep em coming !

**Cliff Rogers** · 22nd February 2005, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by DK Claus

I have to compliment you lot - very creative and very observant. .....Any suggestions ? I thought my suggestion .. to use fine buffeting oil ....

Thank you.

Oil is good, where you want to use/store the piece will help you select the oil.

If it's going in the sun, the UV will be a problem.
If it's not but will get indirect daylight on it, the UV will still have a hand in it but not as bad.

Oil that never sets is going to be gummy.

Oil that sets won't be.

2 part finishes are hard & can be UV resistant BUT theys-a bug'a when you want to take them off or rework them.

Lacquer is an option but is usually reserved for indoor stuff. (Some one disagree with this if you want to, I'm a novice with lacquer)

If it was going to be a coffe table in the lounge, lacquer is the go but not shiny sheyet.

If it was to be an occasional table on a deck, or a bar top, then I'd use a setting oil.... IE danish oil.

If it is as good as you say, I wouldn't put it out in the sun.

If it is trully a magnicifent piece, turn it into a piece of art, cover it in laquer & hang it on the wall.

Bloodwood burl makes a very nice fruit platter, I have a couple of them. I've carved a dish in the top & wire brushed them top & bottom & then coated them in 3 coats of penetrol. They are still very good after almost 10 years.

How much fruit do you have?

**DK Claus** · 22nd February 2005, 11:31 PM

Good one - thanks. Will test two alternatives Dk oil + penetrol and Fine Buffeting oil + penetrol. I have noticed that Proof Seal as an undercoat for DK oil results in much better durability, e.g against humidity/water spils - and results in less colour change over time. Given the size (8x4 foot) I will keep the burl off the wall and since I don't have a farm I wont go for the fruit bowl either. Honostly, have any of you folks seen a burl this large before ?

**Cliff Rogers** · 23rd February 2005, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by DK Claus

..... Honostly, have any of you folks seen a burl this large before ?

I've never seen one solid piece of timber that big before....

8 x 4 is how I buy ply, chipboard & MDF, not burl.

**Richardwoodhead** · 23rd February 2005, 09:58 AM

DK, this sounds like a beautiful piece of timber. And big enough for an indoor dining table. One of the best finishes for an indoor piece would be lacquer. Not full gloss, but around 30-40% gloss. Strong, water and heat resistant, and lets the beauty of the wood come through. Other finishes show off the wood just as well (french polish, etc) but are not quite as user friendly. Probably the "easiest" finish for a novice to use are the wipe/rag on oils / Danish oils / organoils, etc. But these can sometimes leave the wood looking fairly "flat" or dull. The beauty of the wood can be significantly diminished. There are ways around this, but it's a long and winding road.

Unfortunately finishing "to perfection" is something of a art and science that comes with time and experience AND equipment. The best finishes (in my opinion) are sprayed on. So you need a compressor, spray gun etc....

My advice if you have such a fantastic piece of wood is to locate a furnisher finisher who will apply at least 2 coats of 40% gloss lacquer in his spray booth. You'll get to see how finishing this way is done. And end up with a long lasting beautiful finish. But be very careful to sand (preferably using your orbital sander - to at least 180 grit) the slab to perfection. No scratch marks, sanding grooves etc, as lacquer highlights any scratches etc. Good luck with it. (And yes I've seen larger slabs - Jarrah burls, Marri, etc)

**reeves** · 23rd February 2005, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by DK Claus

Honostly, have any of you folks seen a burl this large before ?

saw one last year as the Brisabne wood show...awesome stuff...

i dont recall u posting any pics of this one so i havent seen it..please post

regards
john

**StockyLil'Ozzy** · 23rd February 2005, 05:58 PM

when applying oil finnishes i like to dose it up with a splash of good ol fashioned estapol. not for the shine but apparently it is more durable ( scratches less), it helps the finnish build quicker, ie less coats.

I use up to 50 % although you cant mess around as it can start to dry and get kinda tacky.

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