I have a friend who called me up yesterday, and said bring your trailer...I have a burl I cut for you. So this is what he had done, and I estimate it weighs in at at least 400 lbs. It took 3 men to load it on his ATV cart yesterday, when they were cutting firewood. It is heavy for sure!
I cut this down the pith this morning, and it is about 25" + across the burl. The pith cut does not show a lot of figure, but I think it might have better figure underneath the bark when I get to it. The growth rings are very close together and tight on this, and I anchorsealed all exposed end grain this afternoon. Even with trimming off some of the excess, this burl is way too heavy for me to lift, without possibly doing some damage to myself, and I am pretty strong for my age.
Now, I would like advice from some of you burl specialists that frequent this site. I have done a few burls, but never put one this big on my lathe as of yet, nor as heavy. Would you simply cut the edges to fit on the lathe, attach a heavy duty face plate? Make a natural edge, or a regular type bowl, then take the bark down on the outside exposing the burl figure?
I have a coring rig, so perhaps core it to make some nested bowls? Natural edge if I do it this way, perhaps? I am just looking to get the most out of this, so your input would be most valued and appreciated by me!
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