Project Ideas

[Charles Cadenhead]

Hi group, I was given this slice of burl by my FiL. It's pretty thin, only a couple of inches thick and about 5 inches wide and 8 inches long. I'm trying to figure out how to best use this burl in a piece of art. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Richard Coers]

I can't see a lot of figure or eye buds on the sides of the slabs, so hard to give advice. It'll make a nice little collection of boxes. Cast the natural edge with resin and get some wilder items. Lots of pens and other small items.

 

[Michael Anderson]

Nice gift! You could make a nice 5x5x2 round bottom bowl, and then have a piece left over to make a cool little box. If you going artsy artsy, the sky’s the limit. I think I leave that to you

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

Here is a wild idea how about if you glued 2 or 3 pieces together then make a natural edge vase with the interrupted edges on top.
(I can visualize what it might look like but I am having problems explaining it- I think)

 

[hockenbery]

The burl eyes face the surface. That is the natural face.
@Don Wattenhofer suggested showing these as a rim

This is a big leaf maple burl form with the natural rim

 

[Mike Johnson]

You could cut the burl into layers and use them for inlays in other various wood turning projects.

 

[Mike Zip Hamilton]

Here is a wild idea how about if you glued 2 or 3 pieces together then make a natural edge vase with the interrupted edges on top.
(I can visualize what it might look like but I am having problems explaining it- I think)

Don, that deserves a lot more than a simple thumbs up. I bet we all have had that piece of wood that we knew had great potential, but just couldn't see it. I sure didn't see much in this chunk of wood. You have given Charles something to chew on for sure! Charles, it would be fun if you posted what you come up with.

 

[Charles Cadenhead]

I sanded it and applied a little walnut oil, you can really see the figure now. The little eyes are all popping out.

Here is a wild idea how about if you glued 2 or 3 pieces together then make a natural edge vase with the interrupted edges on top.

You could cut the burl into layers and use them for inlays in other various wood turning projects.

Your ideas got me thinking, I could segment the piece and glue it up around a maple core that I would hollow out. If I end up doing that I'll need to increase my bandsaw skills and figure out another wood to use in the glue up that would complement it. Maybe some walnut?

Or I could possibly cut some pen blanks and make some small ring boxes out of it.

Thanks for the ideas!


BTW, it has a few bark intrusions, I would have to cut those out for whatever project I decide.

 

[hockenbery]

it has a few bark intrusions, I would have to cut those out for whatever project I decide.

If the bark inclusions could become structural issues they can’t stay.
If they are visual issues removing them is an option.

Burls often have bark inclusions that can be left in the finished piece.

 

[Charles Cadenhead]

Burls often have bark inclusions that can be left in the finished piece.

That's good to know. Thanks!

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

The burl eyes face the surface. That is the natural face.
@Don Wattenhofer suggested showing these as a rim

This is a big leaf maple burl form with the natural rimView attachment 52206

This one is also big leaf maple however it was made from a 3" X 3" cutting.
The idea of gluing 2 pieces together would introduce an offset on the natural edge - I think so why don't you try it so I can see if it looks as good as it does in my head.