Drying end slab of maple log

[Egon]

Question:

I have several ends cut off the end of a maple log. One is four inches thick. The other is six inches thick. Both have part of slab circle cut off. I would like to use them for a kitchen island top chopping block.

I have been putting mineral oil on them and keeping them in a cool place.

How should I be trying to dry them or am just dreaming?

Pic of log attached

Egon

[Ianab]

As a general rule rounds off the end of a log will split from the heart to bark in at least one place. If you have cut a piece off it will probably split there.
Options are to deliberatly cut a stress relief that will allow a pie shape crack to open up, and then fill this later with matching or contrasting wood.
Or cut the pies in half, let them dry, then plane the cuts smooth (they will have a bow after drying) and join the pie back up again.

Some people cut 3 slices at once, make a stress relief cut in  them. When they are dry the middle slice is cut up to make matching piece to fit in the crack of the other 2 pieces.

So it can be done, just not in a whole piece with most woods.

Cheers

Ian

[Egon]

Thank you.

Not the answere I wanted but the one I expected.

Egon