On 07/02/2011 02:56, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Chade wrote:
Hello,

A tree blew over and I've been chainsawing it up. I noticed it seems
to have some attractive heartwood.

http://tinyurl.com/4vnhr5t

I'm not much of a carpenter and while most of the tree, I think it was
a Lime, will be going for firewood I'd like to make something nice to
show. The only thought I've had so far is to polish a slice as a
clock. I'd like suggestions, and tips, as to what to do with it.
Whatever I did with it would I need to season it first to stop it from
cracking over time? If so how? My late friend used to try turning
bowls on his electric lathe but they always cracked.

You need to soak it on a specail wax that replaces the water so it never
'dries out'

It is a nice figure and if its lime it turns really well and carves
excellently.

Same you cant turn it into planks. Limewood is quite valuable.

Try a specialist wood turning suppliers for what to soak it in.

Whatever they used on the Mary Rose