Hollowing out a log

[kelLOGg]

I felled a dead maple at which time I saw it has a partial hollow center. I would like to hollow it out the rest of the way and use it as a pedestal for an end table. It is about 18” tall and 12” dia and I have started chiseling out the remaining wood. Has anyone done this? And how did it turn out? And what tools did you use?

 

[mquan01]

I would leave it as-is as a homage to mother nature...

 

[Jeff]

A lot of work for a simple pedestal table.

A roughing out gouge (a lathe tool) or hand chisels maybe.

 

[Brian Patterson]

As long as you add upper and lower pieces, the inner trunk area isn't an issue, right?

You could also add a piece of tempered glass on the top and light the interior - very popular modern treatment.

 

[Gotcha6]

+1 on the glass and interior light. Maybe even a mirror in the bottom of the hollow to make an infinity table!
Check for insects first...........................

 

[kelLOGg]

Whatever I do it would be kiln dried and if it survives crackless you have given me some ideas. I will have to enlarge hole first. Ugh

 

[Oka]

one thing that you could do is just sand blast the interior to clean it up a bit. That can be done with with a hand held unit, and use a med-fine medium , lower pressure it will remove the loose stuff without ruining the natural look

 

[kelLOGg]

I kept thinking that it shouldn't be be so difficult then it hit me. Chainsaw
I grooved it, chiseled it out and "smoothed" it out with the chainsaw - 10 minute job. That will be fine for the inside that will never show. Now to dry it and figure out just how I will use it.

 

[Jeff]

It cleaned up pretty well. Now into your kiln?

 

[kelLOGg]

It will air dry first then kiln dry. I can't kiln dry green or cracking will occur. This will take some time.