Red Oak Burl Pieces

[LarryEA]

I was given a Red Oak Burl that I cut into seven pieces.

Each piece is approximately 18 inches wide and 7 inches tall.

Thickness is from 1/2  to 1 + inch thick.

The grain is most outstanding and unusual.

I am perplexed as to what to do with them.

So I am open to suggestions.                     

This is a picture of one piece front and back.

 

 

 

The grain changes throught the face of the board many many times.

I'm Awed by it.

One small section where the bark fell off looks like a topographic mountain scene.

With streams and rivers cascading down. My wife took a magnifying glass and

spent 15 minutes looking at it.

Almost hate to cut any of them. Maybe just polish and put a finish on them.

Though I guess I could sacrifice some of them to some type pattern.

[Wilson's Woodworking]

I would bore a hole and make clocks out of them. Put a finish on them that would really make that grain POP. You just can't improve on the perfection God put into that piece of wood.

[Multifasited]

Finish a couple as is ,One day out of the blue you will see ,something that you never saw before and you will ,have your projecct , they are special and require a special unique project ,resin loaded ,multidirectional grain and usually harder then bejesus ,blade loading and eating but in the right project elequant .Thats is just one of the reasons they are special ! 

[Phantom Scroller]

I would cut it into slices and just look at it. beautiful as Danny said a clock wouldn't go amiss or make some table mats or loads of turned pens. wow wish I had them slices.   Roly

[Dan]

Larry, I can't see them that well. Could you send them to me for a closer look? Hehe. I agree with the clocks. They would also make great pens. Even sand them well and put a nice finish on one and place it on the mantle as a back drop for a candle.

[amazingkevin]

I've never seen burl ,yours are exotic,years ago a guy wanted me to make a keychain out of a burl and he would give me a burl,never happened.Boy can you imagine what a box would look like out of these WHOA!

Edited November 18, 2014 by amazingkevin

[Clayton717]

I can't get a real good look at the either, send me a couple and Ill make a pen or two  .

[LarryEA]

I would bore a hole and make clocks out of them.   I will take one or two and add a clock. Danny, how would you finish them?

 

Finish a couple as is ,One day out of the blue you will see ,something that you never saw before and you will ,have your projecct ,

 I agree and I will finish a couple and three or four will sit. What finish would you use?

Ever try spray wax?

[Dan]

Lacquer is fast and easy to work with but has a harsh odor. My wife won't let me use it in the basement. I found that Minwax poly spray works fine and additional coats go on nicely after the previous coat set for only 30 minutes. It does require sanding with 300 grit after the final coat but has no harsh smell.

[Wilson's Woodworking]

Here is a link to the finish I would use to finish the clocks.

http://www.menards.com/main/interior-wood-care/specialty-wood-finishes/envirotex-lite-pour-on-high-gloss-finish-32-ounces/p-1462525-c-7964.htm

[grosa]

Wow, That's good looking wood. I would make a hollow spiral lamp from something that nice. With wood like that I would use Odies Oil for a finish, great stuff. This oil is put on with a rag or a scotch bright pad. Wait 30 min. apply 2nd coat and buff. Dries hard and can be repaired if needed.

Edited November 23, 2014 by grosa