Kinda curious if anyone’s approached this before and has any suggestions…..
I’ve got a really cool little log about 4-5″ in diameter. I’d like to make a birdhouse out of a short, maybe 6″ length of it. The ends will be cut square to the axis of the log (it’s pretty straight and true) and a conical top and some kind of deco bottom turned for the bottom. The question is – hollowing out the log.
This is a nice Yew log that I’d rather not waste the center of. Bandsawing out the innards is a possiblity if I were to disguise the entry cut somehow. 4, 5, or 6″ is much too much to even think of trying to cut out with my small scroll saw, of course.
Drilling a series of holes down through the log, then hand sawing between the holes with a coping saw?
Hollowing out on the lathe – wastes all the insides of the log which is really nice wood and the last resort?
Is there a tool (like a parting tool) that could be used to cut through along the axis? (sounds frought with bad vibes)
Thanx for any comments/ideas.
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Replies
Dennis
Yew wood is rather hard, tough wood for the project you have in mind. I have a few slabs and have yet to decide what to do with it.
If you have a band saw that can handle the wood you should be able to start the cut an angle, cut the center out and then glue the saw curf with a water proof glue.
Cut off the top and bottom of the core and glue them into place, is another option.
Ever think about getting a nice little cedar log for your project?
Curt
Curt -
The idea of an angle cut hadn't occured to me.... thanks.
Yeah, I know Yew's pretty tough, and this little log (really a big stick more than what you'd call a log) has been lying around getting harder for a coupla years I think. But the bark is really nice and tight to the log which is what made me think of doing this.
Cedar would be a much better choice no doubt.
Thanks for the reply.
Dennis in Bellevue WA
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