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How to stabilise an ash burr

mattkemp

Full Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Posts
156
Location
norfolk
First Name
matt
Hi

I have an ash burr I have recently cut fresh from an ash tree the tree was healthy and removed for reason being to close proximity to a powerline. But does stabilising a burr just mean drying it out or is there any special processes required? Any help would be gratefully received

Thanks

Matt
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
There is more to stabilising wood than drying it out Matt .. To stabilise wood it first has to be dry, then the process is to place it in a vacuum chamber .. Rather than me going on, here is a link that will have all the answers you will need .. :thumbs:
 

Pierre

Graduate Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Posts
996
Location
Southern Central France
First Name
Pierre
I'm not so sure that you are talking about stabilising. If the burl/burr is dry and falling apart then yes you would be. However, if you are talking about a green burr/burl then first of all you will need to let it dry, the rule of thumb is 1" or 2.5cms thickness per year in plank form, full logs over 30 cms have a different time for the centre . So you will need to allow the piece to dry in a controlled manner such that you avoid splitting etc.

You can either rough turn it and dry it slowly Ie in a bag with its own shavings or you can wax the end grain and dry it slowly.... In a burr/burl find the end grain!! If you can get some paraffin wax then smother it and stick in your shed for a couple of years or so. Personally I would recommend the latter, but I am sure that you will now get 50 variations on a theme. :winking:

PG
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Drying the burl first wins hands down. If you have definite plans for it rough cutting oversize may hasten the process.

Peter.
 

mattkemp

Full Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Posts
156
Location
norfolk
First Name
matt
Thanks I am going to order some paraffin wax and do it that way and put it in the back of the shed and forget about it for a while and see how I get on. If any body wants any wood specific species grown in uk and are local/willing to meet up to pick up I am willing try and help people as I am a tree surgeon so may be able to get hold of some timber. Hope it helps people out on here :thumbs:

Matt
 

Buckeye

ペンメーカー
Executive Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Posts
9,697
Location
UK
First Name
Peter
Thanks I am going to order some paraffin wax and do it that way and put it in the back of the shed and forget about it for a while and see how I get on. If any body wants any wood specific species grown in uk and are local/willing to meet up to pick up I am willing try and help people as I am a tree surgeon so may be able to get hold of some timber. Hope it helps people out on here :thumbs:

Matt

If you wax the burrs and set them aside I will take you out for lunch when I come to pick them up:thumbs:

Peter
 
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