tree bark removal

ponderosa | Posted in Wood and Materials on January 4, 2007 11:25am

I was recently gifted with a slab of well-seasoned oak 1 -1/2 inches thick by 1 -1/2 foot wide by 5 feet long with its outer bark intact. Is there a simple chemical (?) method of removing the bark without resorting to drastic mechanical means e.g. drawknifing, grinding etc. I have read Bruce Hoadsey’s (sp) book on Understanding Wood but unfortunately cutting the tree down on a hot suumer day was not an option. I have considered experimenting with the various solvents and solutions at my disposal. e.g. paint thinners, acetone, MEK, Adolph’s meat tenderizer. oven cleaner (NaOH), GOOF-OFF, etc. Thanks. Ponderosa ([email protected].)

Replies

Ron01960 | Jan 04, 2007 11:55pm | #1
I would use a draw knife before I ever use a chemical for anything like that.
They may not work anyway.

High Pressure washer may work if its loose on edge.

Ron
jackplane | Jan 05, 2007 12:09am | #2
I'm a fan of chemical agents, but not in this case. If the lumber is only 6/4 thick, why not just cut it with a skilsaw? or a portaband with a wood blade?
woodman2263 | Jan 05, 2007 12:18am | #3
I can tell this piece of oak is still wet. If you are going to woodwork with it, sticker it for about 6 months and the outer bark will peal right off. I have a sawmill and when my kiln is full, I sticker wood to let it dry and after a while, the bark peals off like string cheese.

Regards,

Jeff
Rich14 | Jan 05, 2007 12:19am | #4
Ponderosa,

What is the objection to "mechanical means" of preparing this board for whatever use you have? Why do you consider mechanical means "drastic?"

Unless you are going to use this board with "live edges," (bark intact), and that is obvioulsly unlikely, you will need to do all the things we do to lumber to make it useful - truing an edge (on the joiner or table saw or joiner plane), truing a face (joiner, hand plane), making the other edge true and parallel to the first (table saw, planer, plane) and making the other face true and parallel to the first (planer, plane).

Rich
sapwood | Jan 05, 2007 12:48am | #5
I'm going to assume that you want to retain the waney edge. I am removing bark from some walnut boards right now, but the thought of using chemicals never crossed my mind. I use a small drawknife, a regular knife, a putty knife, other prying tools. I work slowly, cutting into the bark so that I don't mar the wood. Scraping usually takes care of the last little bit. It really doesn't take all that long to do and while in the process you get to know the edge very well.
Jamie_Buxton | Jan 05, 2007 04:57am | #6
High-pressure washer can often knock the bark off. Get one at a rental store. Of course, the wood gets good and wet, but it is probably still green, no?

Edited 1/4/2007 8:57 pm ET by Jamie_Buxton
DHAM | Jan 05, 2007 06:58am | #7
I think Sapwood's post is right on if you are trying to maintain the wavy, natural edge. Otherwise, just rip it off or hack it off with a hatchet or strip it with a draw knife if you have one. If it is green and you air dry it outside in a shed or porch, etc., by all means get the bark off because it is an absolute magnet for bugs. When I saw oak on my woodmizer, I will never leave any bark on any board because of insect infestation. I have been done that road one time and I don't plan to go down that road again.