Cutting a Small Maple Burl

[VTwoodworker]

Last winter I was cutting up a load of firewood logs when I noticed a small burl on the butt end of a 7" hard maple.  I cut it off and threw it beside the woodshed and it had been laying there since.  Last Sunday, I decided that since it was Father's Day I should do something fun and thought that cutting the burl open to see what was inside would be just the project.


 
I have never cut anything like this before and it would be like trying to clamp a basketball down to the mill.  I decided the best thing to do is to attach it to a 2x8 with some lag bolts and then clamp the 2x8 onto the mill.



 



 



  

I sliced the burl about 7/8" thick.  I am not sure what I will use the wood for but was thinking that it may become a jewelry box.  But the use will depend on how well the wood dries. 



 



 

Unbolted the block that was left and sent it to the woodpile.  There are probably better sawing techniques to maximize the figure in a burl like this but I am happy with the result and glad the mood struck me to save this from the OWB.

Comments welcome.

Wayne


 

[drobertson]

Looks good enough to me,  I have never seen a maple burl paddle, til now ;D

[thecfarm]

I have never sawed a burl,so I must say you did a mighty fine job the way I see it.  ;D