In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Maple Crotch Burl

Discussion in 'The Sawyer Room' started by Shawn Curry, Jul 19, 2016.

  1. Shawn Curry

    Shawn Curry

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2014
    Messages:
    3,755
    Likes Received:
    22,691
    Location:
    Western NY
    This is the last piece of the red maple that "definitely made a sound" last fall. Two way crotch, about 3' long and 30" wide at the branch end.

    I couldn't align all 4 heart centers as the smaller branch seemed to be curving. The 'meat' of the burl was between the two branches, so I leveled that end and then aligned the first cut with those and the larger butt end.

    Once I had it in half, I made two 2.5" slabs. I plan to saw away the branch wood at least to the heart centers, because I think it would cause the slabs to twist and crack. Especially considering how the grain is diving in the smaller branch.

    20160718_175136.jpg 20160718_180754.jpg 20160718_180837.jpg 20160718_194421.jpg 20160718_200624.jpg 20160718_200711.jpg

    I ended up with a pretty good snipe on the 'underside'. I always set wedges before I complete the cut to reduce this, but the slabs didn't weigh enough to stay put once freed, and they slid back into the spinning chain. I think next time for a shorter piece like this I'll try milling on a slight uphill incline.
     
  2. fishingpol

    fishingpol

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    6,502
    Likes Received:
    39,620
    Location:
    Merrimack Valley, Ma.
    So what is your plan with these? Did you cut more slabs out of them or just in half?
    How was the density between the trunks?

    I'd be struggling to decide how to use these between table tops, carving or turning that center crotch on a lathe. I bet the grain would be pretty nice turned out.

    I have a very dense cherry crotch waiting for a project. I just haven't settled on what to do with it.
     
  3. Shawn Curry

    Shawn Curry

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2014
    Messages:
    3,755
    Likes Received:
    22,691
    Location:
    Western NY
    I'm planning to resaw them into some shop sawn veneers after they're dry, but putting them on the lathe had also crossed my mind. As far as using it for a table top, I'm afraid that if I leave too much branch wood on there, it will cause the pieces to twist and crack. Which wouldn't be a deal breaker, but it would certainly be more difficult to flatten and use.

    The pieces shown are 2.5" thick, and that's all I've made so far. That was the bulk of it, but there is enough of the burl left in one of the remnants for another 1 to 1.5" board. But that's thinner than I normally like to go with the chainsaw mill, so I'll probably work that piece on my bandsaw.

    Not sure what you're asking regarding density, but the whiter areas do not seem to be spalted - I think it's just fading into the sapwood it in those areas.
     
    Woodsnwoods, papadave and Eric VW like this.
  4. fishingpol

    fishingpol

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    6,502
    Likes Received:
    39,620
    Location:
    Merrimack Valley, Ma.
    Exactly on the density. I wasn't sure if it was a soft spot. Checking crossed my mind. I'll be looking forward to what you decide to make with them.
     
    Woodsnwoods, Shawn Curry and Eric VW like this.
  5. Boomstick

    Boomstick Banned

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2016
    Messages:
    1,379
    Likes Received:
    4,616
    Location:
    Saratoga county ny
    I've had good luck with red maple not splitting, in my experience it cups more than anything Leading to a boatload of planing hard wood.

    But like you said dry it and see what ya get.
    With some good weight on it and a slow dry you might be surprised.
     
  6. BCPLLC

    BCPLLC

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    156
    Likes Received:
    698
    Location:
    Henrico, VA
    There is a big honkin maple burl on my neighbors tree that is about to come down. I thought about keeping it but don't know what to do with it. How long can the chunk sit around before sawing it?
     
  7. Shawn Curry

    Shawn Curry

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2014
    Messages:
    3,755
    Likes Received:
    22,691
    Location:
    Western NY
    If you can, saw off a bit of the log with it. You don't want it drying too much before milling. Then if you leave it log side down, touching the ground, in the shade, it could probably sit several months to a year before it starts checking.

    Ill be in your area weekend of August 19... ;) Think shed fit in the Saturn? :D
     
  8. BCPLLC

    BCPLLC

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    156
    Likes Received:
    698
    Location:
    Henrico, VA
    I think it would, but it sounds like their not taking the tree down till September. If timing works out, I will bring it up that way oct/nov if you want it. I hate to see it go to waste but I know I really don't have the tooling to do anything with her.

    But more importantly, did you want to go ahead and build my deck real quick when you're down? At least stopping by I hope?
     
  9. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2015
    Messages:
    23,562
    Likes Received:
    133,134
    Location:
    US
    That's about 3 1/2 hours north east of here, FWIW...... BCPLLC, you should just go ahead and come here:yes:
     
    Woodsnwoods and papadave like this.
  10. BCPLLC

    BCPLLC

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    156
    Likes Received:
    698
    Location:
    Henrico, VA
    Where ya at? Whats the occasion?
     
    Woodsnwoods and Eric VW like this.
  11. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2015
    Messages:
    23,562
    Likes Received:
    133,134
    Location:
    US
    I'll pm you.....
     
    Woodsnwoods and BCPLLC like this.
  12. BCPLLC

    BCPLLC

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    156
    Likes Received:
    698
    Location:
    Henrico, VA
    Ok.. but I'll say in advance.. if it has anything to do with a severed head, I will pass...
     
    Woodsnwoods and Eric VW like this.
  13. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2015
    Messages:
    23,562
    Likes Received:
    133,134
    Location:
    US
    Yep, not my thing, either....