What tool would I use to do this?

[NuclearNed]

A massive tree in my yard got uprooted by this week's storm, and now I'm trying to figure out what to do with the wood. My house is basically a nice-looking cabin in the woods, so anything rustic and outdoorsy goes with the theme.

I saw the following at a national park last year, and thought I could do the same. Basically, a large piece of tree trunk was resting on two support logs. The trunk had been partially hollowed (red area of the drawing), and filled with dirt to make a large flower planter.

How would I hollow out the trunk as shown below? In other words, what tool would I use to sculpt this out? I'm assuming I would start with a chain saw, but I think it would need to be finished with something else. The log is so big that this job would take forever with a chisel.

After everything is carved, I'm going to waterseal the whole thing. I'm going to have to figure out how to drill a hole out of the planter part to allow excess water to drain. Any ideas on how to do that? In other words, are there drill bits that are 1' or longer?

 

[sdifox]

chainsaw first, chisel, planer sandpaper to follow?

 

[NuclearNed]

chainsaw first, chisel, planer sandpaper to follow?

maybe; I'm thinking there is some sort of old-fashioned pioneer type tool that was used specifically for this purpose, but I'm drawing a blank as to what its called.

 

[mcurphy]

In other words, are there drill bits that are 1' or longer?

I'm not sure about your other questions, but the answer to this one is yes. I have seen bits up to 2' long.

It looks like an awesome project! Good luck, and please post pics when it's completed!

 

[sdifox]

maybe; I'm thinking there is some sort of old-fashioned pioneer type tool that was used specifically for this purpose, but I'm drawing a blank as to what its called.

they used human powered band saw then axe, chisel + hand planer.

 

[waffleironhead]

you could chainsaw off the notch and then adze out the interior.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adze

 

[Scotteq]

maybe; I'm thinking there is some sort of old-fashioned pioneer type tool that was used specifically for this purpose, but I'm drawing a blank as to what its called.

You're thinking of an Adz, perhaps.

Basically it's an Axe with the head going sideways, instead of vertically.

 

[SonnyDaze]

An axe or a mattock may work for that.

Edit: Scotteq's suggestion would be even better. An Adze would be good.

 

[Possessed Freak]

1/4 stick of dynamite.

 

[Numenorean]

I would hollow it out with my bare hands.

 

[NuclearNed]

I'm not sure about your other questions, but the answer to this one is yes. I have seen bits up to 2' long.

It looks like an awesome project! Good luck, and please post pics when it's completed!

Thanks... whether or not I'm able to do this is contingent on whether or not I'm able to move a 6' to 8' section of the tree trunk up a steep hill. I have enough trunk that I can probably make 3-4 of these log planters, but if I can't move them they may just get cut up into firewood.

I may have to pull out my bigger brain, rig up some sort of block & tackle system, and engineer a solution.

 

[NuclearNed]

you could chainsaw off the notch and then adze out the interior.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adze

That's the tool I was thinking of. I may need to get one because I think I need to also strip off all the bark, and that would be just the thing to do it.

According to my neighbor, logs won't rot as quickly if the bark is stripped. Also, that would make watersealing it much easier.

 

[Turin39789]

butter knife + determination.

 

[sonicdrummer20]

Burn the inside of the stump out? Might take a while and you would still need to watch it. I would say take a chainsaw and cut a divot in the middle where you want to clear it out and set it on fire with you favorite incendiary fluid.

 

[NuclearNed]

Burn the inside of the stump out? Might take a while and you would still need to watch it. I would say take a chainsaw and cut a divot in the middle where you want to clear it out and set it on fire with you favorite incendiary fluid.

I kind of thought about doing this after I had already hollowed it out some in order to harden the wood. You might be right, though... this could possibly be a good way to actually make the hollow. Not a bad idea.

 

[highland145]

I've got a adz in my shop. You can borrow it but you'd have to drive to S.C.

 

[NuclearNed]

butter knife + determination.

I'm 40 years old. I don't have that much time left.

 

[SonnyDaze]

According to my neighbor, logs won't rot as quickly if the bark is stripped. Also, that would make watersealing it much easier.

I volunteer in maintaining mountain bike trails and I've heard this as well. Stripping the bark is supposed to prevent moisture from being trapped and speeding up the decay.

 

[NuclearNed]

I've got a adz in my shop. You can borrow it but you'd have to drive to S.C.

I live basically on the TN state line, so SC isn't all that far... but my neighbor "Carl" probably has one he would let me borrow.

 

[shortylickens]

You only need one tool:

 

[SonnyDaze]

I live basically on the TN state line, so SC isn't all that far... but my neighbor "Carl" probably has one he would let me borrow.

Does he happen to call his Kaiser blade a Sling blade?

 

[Numenorean]

Seriously though. You do want to strip the bark off and then seal up everything.

As for the hole, use a chainsaw to cut out everything that isn't hollowed out. Stripping the bark first will make it easier to make lines for your cuts. If necessary, you may need to use a wedge to split the inner part out if your chainsaw won't cut all the way through or it isn't even from each side.

Once you have that done, then you can probably clean up the edges with a hand plane. Smooth out the part you need to, make your marks where to start hollowing out. Again, use a chainsaw, but come in at an angle, make a series of V cuts to get the majority of the wood out. Then use hammer and big chisel to clean it up. Once that is done, you should seal everything as good as you can.

The inside doesn't have to be super even since there is going to be dirt in it. Nobody will ever see the bottom. Just be sure the top parts are cleaned up nice. Fill with dirt.

 

[BoomerD]

I came in expecting a typical "Epic NuclearNed" thread...I am disappoint...but it does have the opportunity for one at a later date...

You COULD use the tip of the chainsaw to gouge out the planter section. (like using the point of a knife)
Use the chainsaw to roughly shape the opening to what you want...search youtube for video tips on carving with a chainsaw.

 

[waffleironhead]

That's the tool I was thinking of. I may need to get one because I think I need to also strip off all the bark, and that would be just the thing to do it.

According to my neighbor, logs won't rot as quickly if the bark is stripped. Also, that would make watersealing it much easier.

You may also consider a drawknife for bark removal. It will take longer, but provide a nicer surface. The adze tends to lead to more choppy surfaces. Crazy I know.

Another option for bark removal is a power washer. I used to help out a guy who makes log furniture and this is how we did the bulk of the bark removal.

 

[highland145]

I live basically on the TN state line, so SC isn't all that far... but my neighbor "Carl" probably has one he would let me borrow.

IIRC, better not let Carl see you "struggling" with the log. A disapproving shake of his head would set you back to before the log splitting episode.

It would suck worse if he hands you a butter knife and says, "Have at it." I'd stay away from Carl.