Sugar Maple Burl

[Bill Grumbine]

Howdy all

Just a picture or two of some of today's activities. :D My friendly wood supplier called me last night to warn me to be ready to move on this one. Apparently there were others who wanted to lay claim to this bit of wood. I was in and out like the Phantom with this beauty in my truck.

<img src="http://www.wonderfulwood.com/forumpictures/sugarmapleburl01.jpg">

We had to cut it in half to get it up into the truck.

<img src="http://www.wonderfulwood.com/forumpictures/sugarmapleburl02.jpg">

Not a lot of figure visible yet, but we cut it where the burl is least dense. He characterized it as looking like a truck tire wrapped around the tree.

Stay tuned for some finished pieces, although I don't know when. I like to study stuff like this until I am sure how I want to cut it.

Bill

[Pete Jordan]

Bill,

I know it is a lot but if you have the time, I think it would be real helpful if you would show us how you cut that up.

[Bill Grumbine]

No problem Pete. You are the second person to ask that, unless of course, I am not the only one who frequents more than one forum! :eek: It will make a decent article for my website.

Bill

[Bob Noles]

Can hardly wait to see what you do with that one Bill. WOW!

[Frank Chaffee]

Wow Bill,
I look forward to seeing what you find in those chunks!
Frank

[Jim Davenport]

Frank & Bob took the words out of my mouth!!!:rolleyes:
"Wow!" doesn't properly describe the magnificance of those burls.
I'm looking forward to seeing more about them.

[Bernie Weishapl]

WOW!! That is some good looking burl Bill. Will be watching the website Bill. Thanks for sharing.

[Jim Becker]

Nice....it sure pays to have friends who tip you off!!

[Dick Strauss]

Bill,
Nice find! It sure pays to have friends looking out for you!

Since you said you couldn't lift the burl whole into your truck I have a suggestion for you. You need to build a ladder lift like the one below. It can be made out of 2x4s and plywood. Two people can lift 500lb+ logs with no problem. My pic has the plywood foot too high since the log should be closer to the middle of the rig. A friend and I were able to load 24"x3' wet apple logs into his truck using this type of lift.

Once the lift is built, you start by adjusting the lift so that the "ladder feet" are under your tailgate near the bumper. You adjust it so that when the lift is brought all the way up to vertical, the platform is horizontal and at the same height as your tailgate. Now you lay the lift down and load your log. Basically you roll the log onto the lift to the rear of the platform. One or two people grab the handles (ends of the ladder) and you pivot the log up to your tailgate. Once you are at tailgate height, you roll the log off the platform into your truck.

Send me a PM if this isn't clear. I'm sorry for the primitive drawing....

37479

[Frank Stevens]

Bill,

Those are beauties. I've lucked into some lately myself. I'm having usb trouble with my "puter" so i can't post any gloats.:(
Add me to the list of interested parties for your article.

Couple of questions if I might.

I normally only seal the end grain of my large wood chunks but I sealed all cut sides with the burls thinking long and slow drying would be best.
Is that sound ok?

Mine came from a large tree. I cut mine out with plunge cuts and such along with a fair bit of surrounding wood.
I then sealed all sides with anchor seal and threw them in my wood pile on the concrete floor of my 40 x 80 back barn. The pile is large and haphazard so there seems to be a fair amount of air flow. I keep the door closed and the sun off it.
So far so good? Any suggestions?
Just want to make sure I take care of these in the best way.
Will be watching for information on the best way to "enter" the burl and "read" the different grain directions.

Thanks,

Frank

[Jim Becker]

Since you said you couldn't lift the burl whole into your truck I have a suggestion for you. You need to build a ladder lift like the one below.
Bill actually has an electric lift that will fit in his receiver hitch...perhaps he didn't have it with him.