How best to use this timber

[=Adam=]

Hi guys,

I aquired quite a few hardwood logs today, some of which are about 12-14" in diameter and about 6-8" thick/long (whichever way you look at it).

I would like to make some bowls out of these but the length of them is an issue when it comes to splitting them. Would it be advisable to make some end grain bowls, where I can then core out the pith and replace with a nice plug.

Does this sound viable?

 

[CHJ]

Try splitting in half and turn some small natural edge bowls.

See Page 2 of this PDF

 

[bellringer]

Well if the timber is recently cut then turning it green in the way you have said seem to me a bad idea it also depends on the wood but you will need to dry the wood out before using i would cut then down the pith and the seal the end and leave to dry for a bit

 

[Paul Hannaby]

Given the dimensions of log, I would suggest cutting the log into four segments and use each one for a bowl. Halving the logs would waste a lot of wood because you won't be able to get more than an 8" bowl out of the 14" diameter.

The end grain bowls might be an option if you turn them thin enough to reduce the chance of cracking but the success rate of these might not be high!

 

[xraymtb]

How do people suggest splitting them without a chainsaw? I have loads of logs to use up that I rescued from a local scrappy that was about to burn them all

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[CHJ]

How do people suggest splitting them without a chainsaw? I have loads of logs to use up that I rescued from a local scrappy that was about to burn them all
....

Axe, or Lump Hammer and wedges.

 

[jurriaan]

8" should be pretty doable and 6" easily with an orbital action reciprocating saw. I have 12" blades for my Makita JR3070CT saw, made by Bosch, type S1411DF, and they saw pretty good and last a long time. For smaller logs, I often grab this saw instead of the chainsaw, since hitting the concrete floor doesn't mean anything to these blades, where as it is a big no-no with the chainsaw.

 

[=Adam=]

How do people suggest splitting them without a chainsaw? I have loads of logs to use up that I rescued from a local scrappy that was about to burn them all
....

Axe, or Lump Hammer and wedges.

How would you do it with a lump hammer?

Would you just use normal timber wedges?

 

[CHJ]

You'll need a steel wedge to start off, or an old Cold Chisel or Bolster.
Hardwood can be used once it starts opening up and also for releasing your stuck steel wedge.

 

[=Adam=]

I see

Would you sharpen the bolster or just use it as it comes?

 

[Silverbirch]

Buy a wood grenade from Ebay. Cheap, effective and reasonably accurate.

Ian