Big Oak Burl... what do I do with it?

[Michael Tucker]

Howdy all,

My father-in-law brought me a really big white oak burl that he found and I'm wondering what to do with it and how to do it. I don't turn bowls (I turn pepper mills, pens, bottle stoppers and such) and I don't have the equipment to even begin to turn anything this big. So if I was going to cut it up for things that I turn, should I leave it whole to dry out (it's fresh off of a green tree) or cut it down into smaller chunks to dry out? Either way, should I dry it out inside the house where it's warm or inside the barn where it's dry but not climate controlled?

Thanks for the insight,
Mike

[Dennis Ford]

It will dry much faster and with less damage if you cut it up. Cut your pieces slightly oversize to allow for shrinkage, warping etc. I would coat the pieces with anchor seal and store them in the barn (stickered so that air can circulate around the pieces).

[Fred Belknap]

What Dennis said. If you have a bunch of stuff in the barn it might pay to date and ID it.

[Aric Krueger]

yeah, what Dennis said... this article from wood magazine may be useful as well.

http://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/wood-figure/how-to-find-pearls-in-burls/?page=1

[Michael Tucker]

Dennis, Fred and Aric,

Thanks for the insight, suggestions and article info! I will cut it into workable size chunks, seal it, stick it and store it in the barn to let it dry out until it's ready to use.

Thanks again,
Mike

[Mike Cruz]

If I were you, I'd send it to me! :D Wait, that would mean I would send it to myself...:rolleyes:

You've gotten all the actual advice you need...