How do I finish a burl?

89 posts in 854 days

311 days ago

I have three potentially beautiful slabs of big leaf maple burl and am having trouble with the finishing. Most of the wood I have worked is simply sanded in the direction of the grain until all the lines are out. These slabs have a swirling grain that doesn’t have a clear-cut direction. I seem to be adding almost as many lines as I am removing. What do you do?

4 replies so far

a1Jim home \| projects \| blog 89051 posts in 1774 days #1 posted 311 days ago	Are you using a random orbital sander ? Normally on burl you would get the burl flat with perhaps a router sled set up then a belt sander and then go through several grits of sand paper with a ROS. -- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Roper home \| projects \| blog 1333 posts in 1910 days #2 posted 311 days ago	The best way to finish a burl is with a card scraper. -- Roper - Master of sawdust-www.coloradocustomworks.com
a1Jim home \| projects \| blog 89051 posts in 1774 days #3 posted 311 days ago	Another good approach Roper -- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
amateur home \| projects \| blog 89 posts in 854 days #4 posted 310 days ago	Thank you. I’m gonna try the scraper. If I have more questions, I will post them.

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How do I finish a burl?

4 replies so far

Have your say...

Woodworking Skill Share Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...

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Scrollsawing Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...

Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.

Finishing The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...

Designing Woodworking Projects Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...

Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...

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Woodworking Skill Share
Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...

Woodturning
On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.

Woodcarving
Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...

Scrollsawing
Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...

Joinery
Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.

Finishing
The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...

Designing Woodworking Projects
Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...

Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories
Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...

Hand Tools
Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...

Jigs & Fixtures
Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...

Wood & Lumber
Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...

Safety in the Woodworking Shop
Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...

Focus on the Workspace
Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...

Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking
If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...

Woodworking Trade & Swap
All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...

LumberJocks.com Site Feedback
Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...

Coffee Lounge
Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...