tboarder2602
ArboristSite Lurker
Hey guys,
First time posting in the milling forum, I'm normally checking out the firewood area. Got a few questions hoping someone can help me out with.
I got 2 real nice red oak logs given to me for firewood, but they are too nice to burn. The bigger log (main trunk) is about 10' long and 40" diameter at the base and tapers to about 36" on the small end. It's perfectly clear with no branches, crotches, or visible knots. The second log is nice, but has a few crotches from branches that came off the main stem at 90 degrees its a little longer, with probably 6 feet before any imperfections. They have been cut for approximately 6 months and are still whole with most the bark intact and some minor checking on each end.
I've always been interested in log furniture and such, and I'd like to save these logs to try some projects with. I have a good friend with a woodmizer so I plan on having him cut me some nice slabs to make table tops with. Also I'm going to take the larger diameter butt and cut a few discs off of. My plan with these is to turn them into round table tops, for a poker table, coffee table, etc.
Now here's the questions:
1. Whats the best way to dry these logs without a lot of checking/cracking?
2. Should I cut the discs now or wait til the whole log is dry?
3. And if I cut the discs now, I've heard you need to coat the exposed wood ends with wax or some sealer to let the wood dry through the bark. Any ideas/thoughts/tips on this or what to use?
As always any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
First time posting in the milling forum, I'm normally checking out the firewood area. Got a few questions hoping someone can help me out with.
I got 2 real nice red oak logs given to me for firewood, but they are too nice to burn. The bigger log (main trunk) is about 10' long and 40" diameter at the base and tapers to about 36" on the small end. It's perfectly clear with no branches, crotches, or visible knots. The second log is nice, but has a few crotches from branches that came off the main stem at 90 degrees its a little longer, with probably 6 feet before any imperfections. They have been cut for approximately 6 months and are still whole with most the bark intact and some minor checking on each end.
I've always been interested in log furniture and such, and I'd like to save these logs to try some projects with. I have a good friend with a woodmizer so I plan on having him cut me some nice slabs to make table tops with. Also I'm going to take the larger diameter butt and cut a few discs off of. My plan with these is to turn them into round table tops, for a poker table, coffee table, etc.
Now here's the questions:
1. Whats the best way to dry these logs without a lot of checking/cracking?
2. Should I cut the discs now or wait til the whole log is dry?
3. And if I cut the discs now, I've heard you need to coat the exposed wood ends with wax or some sealer to let the wood dry through the bark. Any ideas/thoughts/tips on this or what to use?
As always any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.