How to make a really big hole in a chunk of tree?

So imagine you have a large chunk of tree - I think it might be pine but if I am lucky its oak, I haven't gotten a good look yet - and want to turn it into a mortar and pestle on a grand scale.

I saw one like it when I was a little girl at a heritage site. It was used for hulling rice but I want to use it to crush pindo palm seeds to feed to my pigs.

It needs a hole large enough to put my hand in to scoop the crushed seeds out as the piece of wood is about 18 inches across and two ft tall it will be to heavy to tip over and pour them out.

I was thinking of trying to BURN the hole, like canoes use to be made, esp. as any drill bit I can find that will make a hole 6 or 8 inches across cost LOTS

Any ideas?

See HERE

for a really good article on how to do just this!
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I was just about to post the same article, but decided to eat lunch first

See, that why I love you guys, the perfect info at the right time

We ARE good, arn't we?

Compostwoman wrote:We ARE good, arn't we?

Yes you are

I dont know if I can pick up my log today as mum has my van so I am stuck with my hubby's car (and he is funny about what he will let me carry in it, goodness only knows why ) but I am going to have a good look at it.

Should the outside of the log be banded after its all hollowed out? Will the pounding not split it?

Probably would be a good idea?

Just picked up the first three ripe palm fruits and have the seeds in a bowl. Mmmmmm yummy, is there anything better than the first few of any in season fruit from your own back yard?

Tomatoes, picked warm from the plant and eaten straight away

Or crunchy cucumbers still warm from the sun................

Mmmmmmm

I got the timing wrong with my cucs, the first batch has gone down with the heat and the second are still only two leaves high.

*sigh*

Will be awhile.

We tried lots of different toms this year. Funnily enough, a pink cherry tom hasnt had a bug on it! And its nice.

Just wish they were bigger.

Eeeeps, well off topic, arnt I

Its oak

I got my chunk of log home today. Its two feet high and fifteen inches across and weighs a ton, well, not really but it sure feel like it

There were LOTS of nice pieces so I might be trying my hand at turning some of them into bowls using fire and my chainsaw soon but will be making my crusher first.

Wish me luck

good luck - maybe you can post some photos

Badger wrote:good luck - maybe you can post some photos

I will try to but as the on line tutorial give great pickies I dont know if I can do any better.

RIGHT! Its MUCH harder than I expected it to be to make this thing. After an hour with a blow torch and a bellows the burned spot is only two inches deep



Either my oak is extra hard or this project is.