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This was a fun project. My brother-in-law and I cut down several rather large live oak trees at his ranch. The trees had died in the drought several years ago and fallen down on his fence line. I saved a few trunks and cookies, and hauled them home.

The wood remained in our backyard firewood pile for a while until I woke up one morning in the mood to carve. So, I dusted off the angle grinder, retrieved a Kutzall shaping disc and a dust mask from my toolbox and started grinding.

The slab had cracked quite a bit in the drying process. I filled the cracks and knot holes with black epoxy before attaching the legs and final sanding. I liked the contrast and the epoxy should also help stabilize the wood. I routed four deep slots into the bottom of the seat for the legs, and attached them with some epoxy and a long wood screw. Don't know how much it weighs but, it's heavy. Would take quite a punt to move it at all.

Honestly I didn't plan this design in advance. I like highly contoured furniture but that was the only thing in mind when I started. Since the wood came from my BiL's ranch, that should add some sentimental value also. It'll probably be a gift for a family member this Christmas.

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Comments

· Premium Member
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REALLY neat stool ?
 

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That is a beautiful stool. I have some old live oak lumber that I saved from a large oak that died in our back yard. It is beautiful wood when you get it worked down, but it is the hardest wood that I work. you did good.
 

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I like it. I might have to give that I try the next time I get a piece of live oak big enough. I might even try carving the legs and seat out a single piece.

I really like working with live oak. It is so dense it actually doesn't (or just barely) float(s) when wet. It is my go-to for making mallets and I have turned several bowls. Even though it is one of the hardest native trees in North America, it actually turns pretty well on the lathe.
 

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Very pretty and a FANTASTIC JOB!

AlSO a fine rescue too! Firewood that escapes the smoke factory is awesonme.
 

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Great job with the shaping! Beautiful work.
That is fantastic and very unique. I love the flowing curves of all the legs and seat.
Jon
 

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That is sooo very neat!!
 

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Very nice stool!! Its an art to making something like this! Good job!
May I ask what was the finish used?
 

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Very nice stool!! Its an art to making something like this! Good job!
May I ask what was the finish used?

- Diego Cassels
Hello Diego,
For this project, I sealed and then sprayed a couple layers of satin finish urethane.
 

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wow, i really like this, and great rendition of a idea using something that one has pondered on for some time, the filled cracks make it stand out nicely with the wood flavor
really nice.
thanks for sharing
Rj in az
 

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Incredible wood and shape!
 

· In Loving Memory
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Wonderful design and beautiful craftsmanship. A real keeper for the ages.
 

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Beautiful. Love the design with that grain and whatever finish you used on it, really make it stand out. Excellent job !!! Mel
 

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I like the contour you created on the seat. It looks very natural.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Nice job and congratulations on your 'Daily Top 3' award.
 

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what carving tools did you use I have made a few projects with carving tools
 

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what carving tools did you use …

- robscastle
Used Kutzall carving discs to do most of the shaping. I cut the shape of the legs with a template bit in my router table, and then a large round over bit to smooth the corners.

Hope that helps!
 
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