"Jeff Anderson" wrote in message
news:Wu7hd.55940$%x.55233@okepread04...
First off I'm pretty new to woodworking but getting into it quickly. My
question is two-parted so I'll just split it up.

Periodically I see posts/hear about people getting large slabs of burl
maple
or cherry or something for very low costs. Just where are they getting
things like this. Are there wood swap meets (I live in Tulsa, OK) or flea
markets for wood? I'm really interested in getting something around
4"x6"x6" or similiar. Local cabinetmakers only tend to have scrap in the
3/4" or less range. Woodcrafters wants about $30 for a chunk that size.

Also - I'm getting ready to do a project making a small jewelry box out of
solid maple (burled, quilted, spalted or something interesting) by routing
out the compartments inside. Saw the project in Art of the Router. I've
practiced on MDF (laminated), just to get the idea and process down and it
came out well, but am worried I'll burn the maple plunging out all the
innards of the compartments. I used a cheap (carbide but cheap) bit to do
the sides and bull nose the bottom inside edge of it with no problem but
are
these going to burn the maple up? They definitely dont cut as easily as
the
CMT bit I have (fancy little classical ogee). Should I just buck up and
buy
a CMT (they have a 1 1/4" long bull nose that would work great)? My
router
is a PC 690 (or 691 or 3 or something, plunge and fixed base), would a
variable speed controller help me out here or is just letting it go full
bore ok?

sorry for all the questions, but I really appreciate the help

Jeff

forstner bit in a drill press to hog out the majority of the wood. use the
router for the last bits and cleanup.