Oak Burrs

[cjmiller]

I posted this first in the general woodworking forum but was advised that it might be better to post here.
I've just taken 8 oak burrs from an old tree which had been felled due to its trunk rotting from the inside out. They range in size from 10 inches to 20 inches and between 5 and 8 inches depth. I've been told I need to store them for, on average, a year per inch depth and that they should be encased to prevent cracking. Are oak burrs as prone to shakes as other timber and can I work them whilst they're green rather than bequeath them to some successor?
Thanks (see the other forum for the couple of earlier replies)

 

[cornucopia]

hello
oak burr is very prone to shakes but some people like it that way- you will never fully dry burrs (or any other wood) that size just by air drying- you will need to rough turn them to be sure there fully dry.
yes you can turn them green so long as you don't mind turning them consistently thin and the final product warping.

 

[Paul.J]

Hello Colin and welcome
Seems you have some very nice Burrs their by the sound of it.
I've never turned a Burr so sorry can't help with your question.
Will look forward to seeing some piccys of them though

 

[cjmiller]

Thanks for the messages. I have a photo album on Facebook if anyone's interested - look for me via [email protected]

 

[duncanh]

Just looked at the burrs Colin and they look great. Your last photo shows them indoors on newspaper - they need to go outside asap otherwise they'll probably crack!
Wrapping them in paper bags or newspaper usually helps slow the drying process and cut surfaces are usually coated with something (like wax, emulsion paint or PVA glue), although in this case there's no bark on so maybe each everything needs to be coated.

They look too thick to air dry so if you're planning to turn them I'd go for the green approach and part turn them after using a bowl saver.

I really don't envy you all that sawing by hand!

btw. you can make the photos public on Facebook so you could link to them for those not on Facebook.

 

[cjmiller]

Hi Duncan - sorry some of the photos weren't the best, but only had the mobile phone with me. My partner has a friend who was into turning in a big way until fairly recently - kids etc! He came over tonight to see them and reckoned they were already pretty dry given their weight and the fact that the tree had been largely dead for some time. He thinks they can be turned now, so...
He was really enthusiastic about the largest piece and confirmed my hope that it can be turned to have two separate dishes in the same piece.
Yes, they're in the hall - mainly because we just 'harvested' them last weekend and brought them home on Monday - they haven't made it any further than the front door yet. But the heat's not on, so I thought they'd be ok for a couple of days. Is it best to seal them anyway regardless of how soon they'll be used? I took all the bark off because it was mostly a habitat for legions of beasties which I rehoused locally rather than on the living room carpet!
I also discovered that it might have been best to cut into the tree a bit under the burr - as it happened, some of the wood was really hard to get at and I did only have a hand saw...however, I may be able to get back up soon and have another whack at the few that were left on the remainder of the trunk.
I've made the photos available to 'everyone' on Facebook - is that what you meant?
So, I'm off to a woodworking demo on Tuesday night, then we'll see...

 

[cjmiller]

Going to try this for some of the oak burr pics (from mobile phone )
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =775146382
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =775146382
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =775146382
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =775146382
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =775146382
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =775146382

 

[wizer]

Oh no. You don't want that rubbish. Send it over to me and I'll burn it on your behalf :lol:

 

[cjmiller]

Har, har Wizer!
If all else fails, I was thinking maybe tooth picks?

 

[loz]

Lovely looking stuff, Hope you have sealed it !!!
That where you live CJ - Murlough Bay ? - looks lovely.

 

[cjmiller]

Hi loz - no, I don't live in Murloug Bay - it's owned by the National Trust (UK) and there's only one dwelling remaining - the one in the pic. Used to be Jerry Fitt's holiday spot and is still 'owned' by the Fitt family - it's about as beautiful spot you'll find anywhere in Ireland I'd say. There's a farmer who lives at the top of the cliff who keeps an eye on it - he turned up as I was 'repossessing' the wood but he was ok because we've met before. Don't tell too many though - it's a hell of a track down and most visitors don't make it that far!
I live in Belfast, but my partner's family have a static on a small site on the lane from Ballycastle to Fairhead - past the beach and next stop the cliffs basically. Again, it's beautiful, right on the shore with all-round views of Rathlin, Scotland etc. from the bay window, so I'm not short of spritual inspiration! Murlough's a few minutes drive the other side of Fairhead.
Re the sealing - haven't done it yet. Is it always necessary or best? I was thinking of roughing one or two out first, maybe even try one by hand carving (the optimism of the niaive). But if it's best to seal them anyway, I'll get on to it. There's no heat on in the house and the back door's always open because of dogs, so it's not a dry climate - terrible for my lumago
Cheers - ps. had a look at the websites - will have to try to get to Armagh.

 

[Paul.J]

Have you gotta sign up to facebook to see the piccys :?:

 

[cjmiller]

Hi Paul - I didn't think so, but when I checked on one of the links 1st thing today it took me to my sign in page. So, until I can get them (and if) onto a public website, it'll have to do. As far as I know, That's the case for pics with this site at the moment? Sorry and all....unless you want me to email them as JPEGs to you??

 

[cjmiller]

Try this link for photos...

http://colin89fair.blogspot.com/

Does it work?

 

[Bodrighy]

Yep, beautiful looking area you live, almost as nice as Cornwall :lol:

The wood looks as though it is ready to go. Try one of the smaller pieces and see what happens. Mae sure your tools are sharp though. That stuff is going to be hard.

Pete