Cutting up a burl

[Robert Feingold]

I was fortunate enough to get an elm burl and I'm trying to figure out how to cut it up. It is 22"x15"x6". It seems that I can get one bowl aprox 14"x 5" or three: 1-8"x5"
1-5"x3"
1-3"x3"
If I cut the 14" blank I lose the rest except for small items, maybe a small box or two. I don't make pens (not yet anyway).
I know this is a personal decision but I am looking for varied input and I think I came to the right place.
Also, what would be good proportions for a set of 3?
Thanks,
Rob

 

[Richard Coers]

Here's a couple questions back at you. Will the work be for sale, or kept by you? I find it's a lot easier to sell $150 pieces compared to $400 pieces. If that is the case, make smaller work. The money may just equal out, but you will get the money faster with smaller work. Are those dimensions at the sharp edge? Burl caps like this will have more waste than blanks. So you may take up pen turning since you will have small pieces left over. Also if you have considered a blank saving tool, now would be the time. You may be able to pay for it on this blank alone. Getting 3 bowls from one blank won't be a problem with this thickness.

 

[Bill Boehme]

If it were me, I would consider something besides bowls or at least not think in terms of how big a bowl could be made from the burl. Most of the wood will just wind up as shavings if you do that. I'm not too keen on the idea of bowls anyway when trying to make the best use of a beautiful piece of burl. I understand your indecision on what to do with it. I have had some pieces of burl for around five year before coming up with a proper use for them.

Here are a few things to consider. If you have a bandsaw, you could make several nice platters. Something that gets handled like lidded boxes or peppermills would also be a good uses, I believe. What to make depends a lot on what you intend to do with the things you create.

 

[craterdog]

Elm burl

You might consider making one or more hollow forms, depending on how you cut it. It would probably have some great grain and figure in it and you may get some great looking openings or voids.
Tim Carter

 

[Robert Feingold]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I am not intending on selling any of the turnings from this burl. I will most likely add them to my collection or give them as gifts.

I do like the idea of coring. It seems like I will never stop spending lots of money for this hobby. I have a bandsaw.
It looks like I may not be making a decision soon.

How should I store it? It was cut about 2 weeks ago and has been on the ground most of that time with plastic on top. I removed the bark about a week ago expecting to use it. It has not yet started to check. It is now indoors wrapped in brown paper on a concrete slab floor.
Thanks,
Rob

 

[Bill Boehme]

Coat it with Anchorseal and keep it in a cool place.

 

[David Wilkins]

I don't suggest you cut it yet.

I can't remember who said it, either John Jordan or Mike Mahoney, but you should have the project be the paramount concern when deciding how to cut the wood, not figuring out how to maximize an individual piece. (I think thats a paraphrase from John Jordans wet wood Video)

Personally I leave the wood in the shop and just look at it as I do my other stuff, and a project that best fits the wood will come to mind. I kinda look at it like it's a relationship between me and the wood, I get to work on some pieces faster than others, I tend to like the end results much better and I'm more particular in my intent when I work on the piece. Otherwise it's like doodling on wood, and can create designs that are like doo-doo, with beautiful grain.

 

[MichaelMouse]

I'm with Dave. Wait until you've studied the possibilities. With a basement or garage, covering the cut face with cardboard should be enough. Don't keep it too wet too long, or it might start to color on you.

Have lots of CA or epoxy on hand as you start working it down. Keep your ears open for a click, or any other indication that you may have a crack or bark pocket. Stop, adhere a crack or fill a gap as you go. You may have to do the same spot later, too, but at least the piece shouldn't blow up on you if you stay on top of it.