I have an upcomming project that requires the use of solid log sections of various species of trees to create benches and seating areas. My question is how to keep the logs from splitting terribly as they dry out. The logs are green at this point and vary from 8″ to 12″ in diameter. I’m not sure about the final finish either
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wax the ends, old latex paint the ends, any thing to seal the ends..they will crack no matter what you do. Ideally they would have been felled during the winter, if in the spring or summer, get the bark off ASAP.
I've made miles of log furnitue, in fact the whole shebang at Sundance Lodge in Utah..Redford's gig. I useually would choose Hickory cut in the winter..it can then retain the bark.
Also built a log staircase, of Poplar..with dogwood and Mt. Laurel rails..the poplar stayed together pretty well, I used contact cement to seal the ends, which were cut off later..the CC is rubbery enough to really seal, and stretch as the wood moves, and not crack itself.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Edited 6/2/2004 10:57 am ET by SPHERE
You can also cut a pie shaped wedge end-to-end of the log. This will allow it to dry while reducing cracking.