What do I do with this slab?

[CDM]

We normally never drive, but the other day my son was home sick so I dropped my daughter off by car for kindergarten.  To my surprise, one of the beautiful old trees by her classroom door had been converted into chipper-feed and stump grindings.  One of the uneaten snacks was this slab from the base.  The work crew had stopped for lunch, and I think were amused when I asked for this little nibble of their wood.  They offered me the whole lot, and I suspect when I walked away there were some jokes at my expense, but I just managed to heave this piece up and roll it into the back of my little car.

The slab is about 36" across and 6" thick.  To me it screams "TABLE!!!" and my wife countered with "two tables".  And one of the nosy-neighbor kindergarten parents asked me the next day how the table had turned out.  Argh!

Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions on what to do.  How long would I have to air-dry a slab like this before starting any work?  What would be a good (and somewhat budget-friendly) way to re-saw it?  When it is dry, how much less will it weigh?

Thanks!

 

[peter halle]

You will have plenty of time to consider what to do with that slab.  I believe that the general rule of thumb is 1 year per inch of thickness if you are truly air drying versus putting in an area that will have less fluctuations in humidity level.  Hopefully someone will offer some drying advice, because as we sit and type or or read that slab is drying unevenly.  The cut surface is losing moisture faster than the bark edges and that can lead to cracks.

I would suggest getting some rolled poly sheet and wrapping the slab until you can get advice on the proper way to air dry your slab and do the rest of your investigations.

Peter

 

[Vindingo]

Awesome save!

It looks like it will make an awesome table tables.  I bet you could get someone local with a wood-mizer to resaw it for you for only a few bucks. 

 

[justinmcf]

I have a little experience with timber slab furniture.

I highly recommend bringing it to someone that has a portable timber saw mill, so that it can be split in two.
So you end up with two slabs 3 inches thick.
This should reduce the drying time to approx 2 - 3 years.
But only take this action if you are happy to have two slabs 3 inches thick, instead of one slab at 6 inches thick.
Dont take my word on the drying time either, your local timber saw mill will give you better information than me.

Dont forget, if you keep the slab 6 inches thick, thats one heavy bugger of a coffee table!

Justin.