Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Aug 10, 2007 12:28am | #1

   Sorry for the delay with a reply. Before I go too far, can you confirm the orientation of the cut you're making? Are these round slabs created by cross cutting thin slices from the tree, or are they long slabs created by milling the tree in the standard orientation in the direction of the grain?

   If you're talking about disk-shaped slabs, preventing checking is going to be tricky because they naturally want to shrink in circumference and will create checking like pie slices no matter what you do. You can minimize this by allowing the pieces to dry very slowly over a long period of time. Long slabs are easily dried by air drying or kiln drying.

   Start by reading this article from the authority on the subject. It's from our black and white days but the information is timeless. Here's another article that covers the basics of air drying vs. kiln drying.

   I know I haven't answered your question fully so write back with a clarification on my question above and I'll follow up with a more detailed response.

   Thanks,
   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

    

1. 
   tmshifflet | Aug 26, 2007 03:32pm | #2

   Hi Matt, Sorry it took so long to get back to you . The articles you sent me were perfect, they were both very informative and helpful. I'm looking forward to trying  it out.Once again the staff at fine woodworking has done a great job of pointing me in the right direction.       Thank you .