oak slab curing questions - Woodworking Talk

Eliza · 03-22-2009, 07:47 AM

I recently had a very large red oak cut down on my property. All the beautiful wood! I got a large slab cut from the base to make a coffee table. The contractor did not have any info on curing, yet he said it was of the utmost importance that it be done correctly. Do I just need to air dry it? Should I moisten it occassionally so that it doen't dry too quickly and crack (like concrete)? Do you lie it flat or keep it upright and flip it now and then? Any suggestions for a base as this is a LARGE piece of wood?

**Daren** · 03-22-2009, 09:09 AM

Is the piece a cross section (I assume) or a slab cut lengthwise from the trunk, it makes a difference on the advice you will get. And how thick is it ?

Eliza · 03-22-2009, 12:14 PM

It was actually cut across the width. It is about 5" thick and a oval shape, it was the bottom section of 3 trees that had grown together over 50+ years. That is why I am so concrened about it splitting. It makes for some beautiful markings though. I read some other posts regarding "checking" I am concerned about how to dry it properly, I know it may take a long time.
thank you for your response
Elizabeth

BORKBOB · 03-22-2009, 12:19 PM

Woodturners probably know more about slab care than us flat boarders.

firehawkmph · 03-22-2009, 01:53 PM

Eliza,
I have a couple of pieces of maple that sound like what you described. They were fresh cut slabs that I found in our local metropark. One is shaped like a three leafed clover, the other is round. They are about 42" in diameter and 7-9" thick. I sealed both sides of each with a couple of coats of anchorseal, a wax emulsion product that looks like mop-n-glo and dries and leaves a wax coating on the wood. They have been sitting for about a year and a half now. I haven't looked at them for awhile, so now I will have to go take a look at them later. I think Daren and Texas Timbers will have some more ideas for these giant cookie slabs.
Mike Hawkins

Eliza · 03-22-2009, 07:55 PM

Thank you all, I will try to find some of the Anchorseal. Also, are your slabs standing on end or flat and raised off of the ground? Do you have to rotate or flip every so often to ensure even drying? So you sealed them and then left them to dry, do you seal again?
Thanks for any info
Eliza