Which way to cut a burl?

[Dave Shepard]

I've got a 24" cherry burl to cut, which way should I orient it on the mill? I am going to have  to fixture it somehow, it only has a little bit of the trunk left on it. Should the centerline of the "log" be oriented the same way as an ordinary log, or should it be oriented vertically? Trying to make some 5/4 "cookies". Thanks.


Dave

[metalspinner]

That's how I would orient it on the lathe - as if you are cutting normal boards.  If you are trying to get a consistant rim of edging around the perimeter, that is the only way.  One of the good things about a burl is that it has no grain direction to worry about...  well, most of the time that is. :-\

[Dodgy Loner]

The figure will be completely different if you orient the burl vertically on the sawmill.  Personally, I prefer the figure that results from orienting it as you would a normal log - it will have the more classic "burl" appearance, with lots of little eyes.  Either way should work fine, though, as long as the burl figure goes nearly to the pith, otherwise you'll get more cracking and splitting with the vertical positioning.  Be sure to take some pics!

[Dave Shepard]

I put it on the mill in the same direction you would a log, it was the only way it would fit between the guide rollers. The burl had been laying on a logging header for eight years, so the sapwood of the "log" portions is quite rotten, but anything burl is rock solid. Didn't remeber to take a before pic, but here is one of the first cookies:




Dave

[SwampDonkey]

When does the BMW arrive Dave, so you can apply your burl figure to the dash and doors? ;D


Is that burl from the cherry disease , black knot, or just a regular burl?

[Dave Shepard]

I don't know what caused it. A mile up the road from me is a patch of cherry trees, everyone of them has at least one burl.


Dave

[SwampDonkey]

Some day I'm going to open up one of those nasty black knots. The back yard is full of them. Just waiting for the trees to size up a bit.  ;D

[rfalk]

get some anchorseal on it quick (I would coat whole piece). A cracked burl is worth little to a wood turner. bob

[Dave Shepard]

These are not going to be turned, as far as I know. Last I heard, they were going to be cut into rectangular bits for some as yet unknown purpose. :


Dave

[tyb525]

Would make some nice veneer/inlays.

[SwampDonkey]

AH, he's going to do some marquetry. Maybe a coffee table?  ;D :D

[Dodgy Loner]

Wow, now that is an impressive cherry burl .  Looks like the result of black knot fungus to me.  Most of them end up with a few voids here and there, though.

[Dave Shepard]

That's the little one, most of the others just barely squeeked in between the guide rollers (28.5").

I think I know what I'm going to make out of one of those. Been putting it off for a while now, you know how that procrastination thing is. :


Dave

[Norm]

Dave if you're interested in selling some of the boards you cut off these burls let me know. I turn pens and really like the look of burl cherry.

[Dave Shepard]

Norm, I'll ask. This burl was just an experiment. I guess what I really need to know now is how to preserve the wood. I don't have any anchorseal, but we need to get some for storing our high grade cherry logs. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.


Dave

[Walnut Beast]

I put it on the mill in the same direction you would a log, it was the only way it would fit between the guide rollers. The burl had been laying on a logging header for eight years, so the sapwood of the "log" portions is quite rotten, but anything burl is rock solid. Didn't remeber to take a before pic, but here is one of the first cookies:




Dave

What did you ever make out of it

[Walnut Beast]

How did it hold up drying out. You sliced them like cookies?

[aigheadish]

Yeah, I guess I'm real late to the game but that is beautiful!

[Magicman]

Burls will certainly change character when sawn from different angles;


 


 


 


 
Sorta depending upon what caused it.