Prepping tree stump to scroll saw on

[jbrowning]

So it's that time of the year and I have a question. My neighborhood Lowe's is offering their Christmas Tree stump cutoff's for free. So I'm wanting to get some and then cut them and use them for maybe tree decorations for next year (cut on the scroll saw). My question is when I bring them home do I

A) cut them to the desired thickness and let them dry out or do I

B) let them dry out first and then cut them to the desired thickness

C) do I do them some other way

and how thick should I cut them when I cut them?

Thanks

Jim

 

[dgman]

You have to seal both ends with latex paint and let them dry before you cut them to desired thickness. If you don’t seal the ends, they will crack and split as they dry. If you live near a wood working store you can buy a product that is designed for that purpose. Turners use it for drying green wood. If you don’t seal the ends, the wood WILL crack!

It might be less work if you buy them all ready prepared from Amazon.

Edited November 30, 2019 by dgman

[NC Scroller]

I am not sure about rounds but the rule for air dying lumber is 1" per year.  Pine normally dries and cracks quickly.  I would cut them to thickness and as you cut them seal them as dgman suggested.  Store on a something like a wire shelf so air will circulate all around them and out of direct sun light.  GOOD LUCK. 

[Sycamore67]

With the amount of sap in Christmas trees, it is not something I would do.

[Roberta Moreton]

Pine is just not worth the effort. Too much sap. 

[tomsteve]

those pieces are probably pretty short and small diameter? if you want to try it, cut them oversize(like 1" thick slabs),seal the ends, then tuck them away inside your house where they can dry. good idea to have em with some space between each piece(stickered) and off of any surface.

check em in a few months to see how theyre doing. it is possible to kiln dry using an oven BUT its necessary to understand how. i didnt know how at first. ended up with some really nice walnut that case hardened BAD along with trapping internal stresses that came out when machining, then turned into high dollar kindling.