Burl Cup

[sodajoe]

I have cut a a burl from a a fallen but green beech tree with the intention of making a cup/small bowl. Should I wait until the wood dries and seasons before trying to carve it out or can I do it now?

 

[stoddy]

do it now, whilst it is green, easier carving

 

[woodwalker]

yes, it would make it easier to carve but it would be much more likely to crack after it was carved. In wood turning, when you attempt to turn damp or green objects, it often produces steam if worked to much which can scald your hands! However that is beside the point.

woodwalker

 

[Dougster]

I've just done that very thing. I keep it in a large zip lock bag as carving is much easier when green and the bags lengthens the time it is like that.

I didn't leave enough thickness around the edges and it did split a little - so I start to apply veg or olive oil before it is fully dry to allow them to 'swap over' so the wood never really dries out, and they are non-toxic. It does mean, however that sanding smooth when still a little green is heavy on the glass paper and hard work.

Some idiot has gone around my woods playing with a new axe or something, so I have loads of wood to work, had to buy more sandwich bags.

 

[sodajoe]

Top tips guys.

One last question: Is it better to use an ember to burn the hollow or just carve it?

 

[woodwalker]

when I make bowls etc I normally use both methods to speed the process up. However, as the wood is green I would just carve it as I dont know how well the wood would burn without being seasoned/dry.

just a thought -
woodwalker

 

[Pignut]

I would carve green and boil in salt water once done, (Worked with mine)

 

[Dougster]

I only ever carve, even the cup, mind you I have a hell of a blister to show for it...