Wedding table decor

[Themackay]

I am planning to make table decorations for my daughters wedding later on this year using slabs of log for the centerpiece @12 inch diameter should I slice up the logs now into roughly inch and half 2 inch slabs and leave them to dry then skim them up or leave as log until nearer the time October and then do it all ideas suggestions welcome.

Alan

 

[Woody]

You would need very dry logs for the large disk otherwise they will either split or bow out in the middle as they dry

 

[Themackay]

Hi Woody,,my thoughts were if I cut 2 inch slabs now and they distort as they dry I could skim them flat nearer the time splits could become a feature or I could fill them with coloured filler etc.

 

[paulm]

Cut it into slices and boil it, it should then dry without splitting. It might distort a bit but not too much. After a week or two in the airing cupboard it'll be ready for finishing.

 

[Themackay]

How long would one boil it for Paul

 

[Phil Dart]

Cut it into slices and boil it, it should then dry without splitting. It might distort a bit but not too much. After a week or two in the airing cupboard it'll be ready for finishing.

Would that not hasten the bark falling off? Don't know - never boiled a log before.

 

[Themackay]

Phil,,Although I would have liked to keep the bark on I imagine they will end up as natural edged .I have some Elm logs felled about 9 months ago the bark is falling off thats what Im planning to use unless I acquire anything more suitable

 

[Grump]

If you have enuff log do some of each, it would be intersting to hear the resuts.

 

[paulm]

Would that not hasten the bark falling off? Don't know - never boiled a log before.

It hasn't up to now Phil but I've only boiled Holly Oak in a larger than penblank size with the bark still on. I put a picture of it on the site a long time ago as a test of boiling and the bowl I made is still exactly the same as the day it was made but non-boiled wood split within days.

 

[paulm]

How long would one boil it for Paul

about an hour for every inch thickness. but it doesn't matter if its longer, but not too long that all the water boils away like I did once

 

[paulm]

Phil,,Although I would have liked to keep the bark on I imagine they will end up as natural edged .I have some Elm logs felled about 9 months ago the bark is falling off thats what Im planning to use unless I acquire anything more suitable

What diameter are you looking for? My pot does about 9" diameter and I might just have a play if I get time on the weekend with some Oak.

 

[wm460]

be interesting to see the results.

 

[Themackay]

What diameter are you looking for? My pot does about 9" diameter and I might just have a play if I get time on the weekend with some Oak.

Hi Paul,we are looking at 12/13 inch diameter about 1 and 1/2 inches thick approx

 

[Phil Dart]

I'm not sure if this would work, but, assuming the decoration would cover it over, have you considered cutting your slice then drilling out the pith?