Burl Treatment Question

[Scott Greaves]

Hello Friends!

I don't usually work on rustic type pieces, but I recently acquired a piece of wood that cries out for a more rustic treatment. By rustic, I mean that I am going to leave natural edges and not square the piece up. I'm even planning on leaving the bark on!

It's a burl slab from a fir tree, about 44" by 18". After cleaning it up on the wide belt sander I have it to about 1 ½" thick. Here's a picture of it next to my computer desk:

<BR>
<CENTER><IMG SRC="http://myweb.cableone.net/swedg1/ww/burl1.jpg"></CENTER>
<BR>

What I intend to do is make a nice coffee table for use at our cabin. I want to tighten up any pieces that could come loose with some CA glue, fill the voids with something, and then finish it off with a thorough dousing with BLO, then maybe top of with a satin poly. I of course can be swayed, and that's why I here asking about this. Here is a close-up of one of the gaps between the wood and the bark:

<BR>
<CENTER><IMG SRC="http://myweb.cableone.net/swedg1/ww/burl2.jpg"></CENTER>
<BR>

I will need to fill this with something - maybe epoxy. What would you all suggest? If epoxy, would you tint it or leave it clear? Here's another close-up of one of the small voids in the top:

<BR>
<CENTER><IMG SRC="http://myweb.cableone.net/swedg1/ww/burl3.jpg"></CENTER>
<BR>

I would be filling these too, to get a nice even top (easier to clean later). I managed to recycle some minimalistic black steel legs from another table that should serve well here, without detracting from the beauty of the burl. I have seen some of these type of table tops that seem to have a thick layer of plastic coating on it. My Wife seems to like this idea, but I think it would detract from the wood. That's why I was thinking of the BLO and maybe the poly to seal things up.

What would you do?

Scott.

[Jamie Buxton]

Burl from a fir, hunh? Boy, that's a rare one, and it looks like a real nice slab.
As to filling voids, I've used epoxy or polyester (less expensive). I generally color it black. To my eye, if you leave it clear, it looks too much like those tables covered with a half inch of plastic --- shudder!! I've never filled voids as large as the ones you picture. With big ones like that, you might find that because the epoxy's hardness is not the same as the wood, your sander will dish into the epoxy.
I've also filled holes with other stuff. You can make a wood patch. Don't attempt to make it blend in -- it ain't ever gonna. Make it from some contrasting wood. Also in the realm of contrasting stuff, there's that in-lace stuff that turners use -- ground up little bits of turquoise or mother of pearl in some resin. It makes a nice accent. And a third constrast material is metal. I've filled a void with silver, and with pewter. The inorganic metal emphasizes the organicness of the wood, if you'll let me invent a word. To make a metal patch, I fill the void with wood or poured-in plastic, and then use the router to make an indentation only as thick as the metal sheet.
I'd finish the table with wipe-on varnish. It does a good enough protection job for a coffee table. I certainly would not use that pour-on thick plastic stuff. This beautiful piece of wood does not deserve that miserable fate!

[Jim Becker]

Scott, I would be concerned about the bark letting go over time. If it's pulling away now, it will probably continue to do so. As the bark shrinks from drying further, it will get brittle...and the half-on, half-off look will probably not be pleasing. You may want to consider carefully removing it now without damaging the contour of the natural edge. A flap-sander will help you prep for finishing. If you do leave the bark on, be absolutely sure that there are no creatures living under that bark...it's their favorite place to hang out.

For filling voids, Jamie' suggestions are good, especially something unique, like metal dust in resin. I personally would leave them be al la George Nakashima as those small voids in the middle of the table further emphasize nature's art. But that's me...your style is what is most important. :)

BTW, that is one outstanding looking piece of burl!! Enjoy it!