Big Slabs

scleigh · July 29, 2018, 10:47:05 PM

Brought this 4' wide red oak log home last weekend from the farm across the road.

The mill I slab with will saw up to 44" wide, so I was hoping to get 3 or 4 slabs off each side.

More than a mouth full

Made a few cuts and got and the mill was sawing great.

I knew going in that there was metal in the log, but got 8 really nice slabs without hitting anything. This slab didn't contain metal, but had staining in it. 43" wide on the big end. I did hit metal on the next cut and was finished with the log.

Here's the grain with water on the slab

this was the first time I slabbed red oak. Log was sealed with Anchorseal. How bad do you guys think the checking will be. I tried to put stickers as close to edge as possible.

barbender · July 30, 2018, 12:28:07 AM

The checking will be unmanageable and turn them all into junk. I'll get you my address and you can just ship them to me, and save yourself many headaches😁

Solar_HoneyBee0 · July 30, 2018, 01:00:37 AM

That is a straight up beaut! I have quite a few red oak slabs and I found personally that if I achorseal the ends i'm good. They will crack some, but not much. I sticker them and then let them air dry under an open shed for between 3 and 5 months. I know this probably is crazy, but i'm in no rush. Then I kiln dry them slowly for 1 to 1.5 months (again just preference with what has worked best for me in the past). Then the slabs are good to go.

If you don't mind my asking, what are your plans with them? I have so many red oak slabs about the same size i have no idea what to do with them. By me there isn't any interest in dry or green slabs (which I normally sell at a discount).

Again, she's a beauty!