KSUBANKER Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 Planning to have some Oak and Walnut logs run threw a saw mill later this summer. Would like to do everything possible to keep the natural bark edge in place while the 1.25" planks are drying. Any ideas or suggestions on what can be done to help this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 I am pretty sure that is going to be difficult. I have found some bark will hang on stubbornly and other areas pop off if you look at them wrong. I have also had bark that hung on let go after finishing. Maybe you could keep the bark sections and epoxy them back on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 I don't understand wanting to keep bark on a live edge piece. Seems like it will collect dust & schmutz & be really hard to clean. Or if you saturate it with epoxy or some other stabilizing agent, it will just look like plastic. Not being critical or combative, but is there something I'm missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown craftsman Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 Bark attracts bugs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSUBANKER Posted June 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 Plan on making a natural edge coffee table, but will reconsider trying to leave the bark on now. This is what I like most about this website! Honest opinions! Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 For some species, when the tree is cut down has a lot to do with how tightly the bark hangs on. Tress cut in the spring will drop bark quicker because of the fresh growth of the cambium layer. In any case, if you are not too aggressive in removing the bark you will have a nice textured, undulating edge the can look really cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Larry Moore Posted June 21, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 I have done two live edge tables one I was elm and I peeled the bark off, and one was spaIted maple I just wire brushed with a cup wire wheel and saturated with finish. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 Has anyone ever tried epoxying parts of the bark before the log is cut into slabs? Wondering if that would help , might not penetrate well though, plus you'd be waiting a long time after slabbing them up for drying...who knows. Bark does attract bugs, so be prepared for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 Larry, really like the top pic. Pretty cool the way the wheel extends thru the top! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeautysBeast Posted July 16, 2016 Report Share Posted July 16, 2016 I have a piece of a log in my back yard, that I use for splitting wood, as a foot rest, as a step stool, and to put the tongue of my trailer on. Years ago (at least 5) I had another one, and it finally just fell apart because it was untreated. I really liked this one because it was the perfect size, AND it was relatively flat on the top. I bought some pour on sealer, and brushed it all over the log. top bottom and even on the bark. I bet I put 5 coats on it. The bark has never fallen off, and the log has never rotted. It has been outside, through 5 Wisconsin winters and is still in great shape. I would think this would work for keeping the bark on a slab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 16, 2016 Report Share Posted July 16, 2016 If it stays outside its probably stayed fairly wet. I am guessing that if it was brought inside and dried out some or most of the bark would come loose. On the other hand I made a walking stick over 40 years ago and the bark is still tight on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.