Building Flower Boxes

Okay so we thought we had an original idea

We had the place logged because Timber prices are through the roof so it made sense
We also had them drop a few dangerous old trees that were too close to the house

The one huge Cedar has a stump that must be at least 5' diameter so we want to make a table out of it

Some of the others we wanted to make into flower planters

Working on the first one closest to the house

First I thoiught it was going to be easy to just cust a hollow with the chain saw Bahahaha boy was I wrong
Next I tried cutting a cross hatch and using an Axe to take out chunks Bahahaha that was not working

I told Shan I might need to buy an Adz or Adze but then I remembered I had a small Pick I bought years ago to clear away roots when we re-built the pump house

So I figured I would at least try a "Proof of Concept" experiment before I spent more money on another tool
I sharpened it up using my Grinder for my Lathe tools

Now to be clear I was using a Wheel so I created a Concave bevel :rofl2:

Started taking out wood row by row, cutting the rows with the chain saw which I sharpened using a File so more concave bevels :D

Taking my time being safe, but it is progressing slowly, I can't believe how wet the wood is

That should be one cool looking and long lasting flower box. :tu

Was the tree live or dead? I'm wondering if it was green it would emit resins that might mess up the plants that end up in it :shrug:

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

That should be one cool looking and long lasting flower box. :tu

Was the tree live or dead? I'm wondering if it was green it would emit resins that might mess up the plants that end up in it :shrug:

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It was alive, that is one of the thoughts we had too, I might have to seal it but I hope not

Perhaps after getting it 'Close' to the width and depth that you want, you could use a controlled burn to finish to size and the carbon would help the soil and plants and keep any resins at bay?

I'm totally ignorant on this, but perhaps it would be a viable option---

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

I'm totally ignorant on this, but perhaps it would be a viable option---

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LOL well now that makes three of us :)

A burn might help me get it leveled better to, I have been approaching this along the lines of a Dugout Canoe so heck it might work Worth a shot anyhow

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

LOL well now that makes three of us :)

A burn might help me get it leveled better to, I have been approaching this along the lines of a Dugout Canoe so heck it might work Worth a shot anyhow

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My friend, I do hope you will believe me when I tell you that how the First Nations used fire to be able to scrape the charcoal out when they built their Dugout Canoe's was on my mind when I wrote my suggestion.

HONEST TO GOD!

Burn was what i was thinking too. Good luck.

What about pre-drilling the interior with a grid of holes using a contractor drill with a large bit to the depth you want? I know many woodworkers who do this before chiselling out a mortise. It would make removing the interior wood a lot easier.

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Originally Posted by DZEC

What about pre-drilling the interior with a grid of holes using a contractor drill with a large bit to the depth you want? I know many woodworkers who do this before chiselling out a mortise. It would make removing the interior wood a lot easier.

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That was an idea too, I kinda am doing a similar thing with the Chainsaw cuts and then chipping out the chunks

Since I sharpened the Pick things are going faster and I am getting a smoother outcome on the bottom

I am about 75% done now :)

I have a 3.5 foot wide maple stump that I was thinking about using the same as you are, but my chain saw just skipped right off the top. I understand there are special chains you can get that have squared off cutters for chipping out this kind of thing, but I can’t locate them where I am.

I will be trying the drill procedure later this summer, but may have to pick up or rent an adze to finish it off or maybe just light it up as was suggested earlier.

I’ll post photos when/if it gets done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DZEC

I have a 3.5 foot wide maple stump that I was thinking about using the same as you are, but my chain saw just skipped right off the top. I understand there are special chains you can get that have squared off cutters for chipping out this kind of thing, but I can’t locate them where I am.

I will be trying the drill procedure later this summer, but may have to pick up or rent an adze to finish it off or maybe just light it up as was suggested earlier.

I’ll post photos when/if it gets done.

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I have been taking my time,
work on razors
work on stump
work on cleaning up slash piles
Repeat LOL

I maybe have 1 hour of actual work on the stump so far, I have been cutting two rows and chipping them out then doing something else

I bet your Maple Cuts or drills harder, but chips easier once you get in there

Once you potting area is complete it might be a good plan to bore a few drain holes in there to keep it from being too wet, in your area that’s likely only a spring and fall issue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

That was an idea too, I kinda am doing a similar thing with the Chainsaw cuts and then chipping out the chunks

Since I sharpened the Pick things are going faster and I am getting a smoother outcome on the bottom

I am about 75% done now :)

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And you doubted the concave edge design. Since yesterday I have had moments I am just sitting there and laugh like an idiot about your bevel comment. Fortunately no one has been around because how would I sum that up to anyone else.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DZEC

I have a 3.5 foot wide maple stump that I was thinking about using the same as you are, but my chain saw just skipped right off the top. I understand there are special chains you can get that have squared off cutters for chipping out this kind of thing, but I can’t locate them where I am.

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Simply google the words "carving chainsaw".

well here we go :P

Good choice Glen. Nothing like a nice fire to warm up a cool May day.