Alexy3

Recently I cut 5 inch thick slice from the middle of 6 foot black
cherry log. I want to use it as a part of the bench.
My question is: how to prevent the ends of this log from spliting?
How long does it take usually to dry this kind of piece of wood
in normal room temperature?

NKYDarrell

I have no experience in fresh lumber but I think that's what this is for.

Rockler Green Wood End Sealer.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...8&cookietest=1

jraksdhs

normally it takes about a year per inch if your air drying. I'd figure a week or two in a kiln. Maybe texastimbers or daren will chime in and give some insight.

jraks

Alexy3

Wow, a year per inch... I was dreaming to finish my bench next year. Sorry, I'm doing this first time I have no experience
whatsoever. Is there any chance that someone could kiln dry it
for me? I'm afraid nobody would bother - this is just one piece
of wood...

Julian the woodnut

I'm sure there's somebody out there that can help you. If not, you could always make a makeshift dehumidification kiln and dry it yourself. Daren is the man to talk to about that.

You should first coat the endgrain with some anchorseal, or beeswax to keep it from checking. I like to use beeswax but this is just because I have an apiary near by, and it's fairly cheap.

Daren

I was not going to chime in because you got good answers from the other members about endsealing, your first priority. 1" per year is the old adage for drying outside. Inside in a conditioned space (heat-a/c) you can cut that time in 1/2 probably. Now this is "dry" to the point where it will dry no more...but depending on how/what you plan on building it could be built and put into service green (not totally dry). If you are just using the slab as the bench top and using dry lumber for the legs some movement in the slab can be compensated for in the construction. And quite frankly I don't see a 5" thick slab "moving" it is going to shrink and probably check (crack on the surface a little) though. If you are in no huge hurry I would keep it in the house some place over the winter while the furnace is running and this spring throw it in the attic for the summer-fall. By next winter I would have no hesitation to use the piece even though it is not "kiln" dry, with proper joinery like I said to compensate for a little movement.

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http://nelsonwoodworks.biz/ ...Urban logging/tool sharpening

Alexy3

I've already ordered greenwood sealer from Rockler.
Looks like I can start working on my project no earlier than in a year. I don't mind a few cracks here and there, just don't want
it to break in half... Cracks give even more natural rustic look.
I am more afraid of twisting and warping.
Thank you all for really valuable advices.