How to cut an Oak Burl

[mhburton]

  Hi,
  I usually stick with Mesquite here in Texas, but I have run across a post oak with an almost perfectly spherical 36" diameter burl in it. I am planning on harvesting the tree and am wondering about what direction (if any) would be the best way to cut the burl (Crosscut, or ripcut as oriented in the still growing tree) to get the best figure out of it. My thoughts are for slabs for table tops.
  Anybody have any thoughts?

Thanks a bunch
  

[LeeB]

No personal experiance drying oak burl but have read that it is a devil to dry without much cracking. Let me know if I can be of any help on the sawing end of things. I would saw with the grain for the most figure. LeeB

[Gilman]

Usually the best figure comes from flat sawing a burl.  A quarter sawn cut will have nice figure, but without the dense swirl.

Do we get a picture?

[mhburton]

I don't have one yet, But I will take some before and after I cut it.

Lee, you will be the one cutting it. You probably didn't recognize me, cuz I just joined the forums but you already cut for me.  ;D

[LeeB]

recognized you right off the bat. glad to see you made it to the better forum. I'm at work right now. My schedule has changed to 21 &21. won't b home for 3 weeks. Be glad to help you out if you can wait that long. LeeB

[mhburton]

   Not a problem, I have some BIG mesquites to cut on the river. It will take that long to get them on the ground. That new Husky 372 I bought is just the ticket. ;D
  I'll have you busy when you get back.