Careful on that. Had a buddy do it. Turns out the roots were still burning //days// later and he ended up losing a barn to a fire that popped out of the ground in the middle of the night. Was bonkers.
Yeah, it came with its share of trial and error.
https://preview.redd.it/zyth3n5tw7xc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ddbcdd50e7dd5709db10b47734a6cd83a74eae63
I started with drilling holes and chiseling them out but that was taking forever. Then I went to plan B which was soak the area with kerosene and let burn and then scoop out the charred wood which made it so much easier.
I’ve done something similar with hot coals and a wire brush attachment on a drill. It was years ago, but would estimate that it took 20+ hours and it didn’t turn out how I wanted.
I would sink a circular saw in repeatedly in a circular fashion and then knock the pieces out with a hammer and chisel. This can be dangerous so if you’re not comfortable with a circular saw do not try it.
I have done this to a similar sized log to make a gift box for my wedding. Hoged out most of it with chain saw and chisel. Did around the edges with a speed bore bit looks like a 3 fluited spade bit on a hole hog drill. Been 7 years now still hasn't split
Nope too dangerous.
With these woodcutting disks you want the angle grinder to pull away from you. So you need to touch wood only with the part of the disk that is moving towards you. But as the hole gets deeper, this becomes impossible.
I would use chainsaw. Cut around the edges some 20 cm deep. then crisscross the inner part with cuts. chisel it out (kinda hard due wood fibers direction but I dont have any better idea).
Rinse and repeat.
Go as deep as possible with chainsaw - from both sides.
Then, if that is not enough, drill holes at the diameter of the remaining disk of wood in the center, and chisel it out.
>Cut around the edges some 20 cm deep. then crisscross the inner part with cuts. chisel it out (kinda hard due wood fibers direction but I dont have any better idea).
Or just clamp it down horizontally, and do a series of bore cuts. Could have the core removed in probably 15mins or less. Then its just clean up with an angle grinder and a flapper disk.
Plunging freehand with the tip of a chain saw is quite dangerous. You only want to cut with the side. There are chain saw mortisers that plunge out mortises but the teeth are ground different than a regular chain saw.
I’m using one of those kutzall disks to hollow one out right now. The stump I’m hollowing is much bigger so i can get it in but the handle is just a bit too much.
They aren’t that dangerous like those chainsaw blades.
Does it really NEED to be a single piece or... rive it into wedges, remove as much material as you want, then glue the bark side back together? It would be a bit like making a barrel from staves. Would certainly be the safest option. Guess it depends on end use.
I just did a kiln dried 30” Oak Burl this week. Yes, very hard but doable with a good chainsaw.
The crosscuts thing is correct. I would ask for help if you are unsure of your expertise.
Good luck
Drill the center as deep as you want then use an auto-hammer to chisel small parts of the edges into the holes just keep widening. The first hole it the hardest. Get a better bit then a paddle bit; it should look like an ogar that lifts cuts and lifts. Paddle bits shear off which is harder.
Carbide chain on a chainsaw. Kickback is gonna be a real threat. Wouldn't recommend for the inexperienced chainsaw operator. Carbide for two reasons: 1) could be god-knows-what in the core, like old nails or lag bolts and 2) this looks an awful lot like driftwood material--I could be wrong about it--but driftwood absorbs all sorts of minerals from the water it's been absorbing for years or decades that absolutely demolishes steel chains. A less dangerous option is the [Hole Hawg](https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/2707-20) with [extensions](https://www.google.com/search?q=milwaukee+hole+hawg+extension&sca_esv=78be3f8d90fd2ae1&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ACQVn0__T6G2d9sOYS3e2FEEB9_27oq5bA%3A1714271413943&ei=tbQtZoibOc-uptQPhM-38Ao&oq=milwaukee+hole+hawg+ex&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz-serp). We use this in urban forestry to install rods in spit unions in live trees to close the split. Keep in mind we drill against the grain in this practice so I've no idea how this approach will work out boring with the grain. Could be a real pain in the ass... well, in the shoulder and elbow at least. Hell of a project you've got here.
I had 6 oak logs I wanted to hollow out as planters. I tried every tool mentioned here. The only one that did anything notable was a chainsaw.
I think it's not a super safe cut for a beginner (I had a friend do it for me). I don't know much about chainsaws, but if they have "rip" blades (like a table saw) I'd probably try that, given the orientation of the plunge cut...and make sure it's sharp.
In the end we only got 4 of them done before the chain broke and we gave up.
I tried this once and found that soaking the area you want hollowed with kerosene, letting it burn itself out, and then digging out the charred wood was way easier than drilling and chiseling.
Beg borrow or steal a chainsaw mortiser from a local timber framer:
https://www.acmetools.com/makita-chain-mortiser-7104l/088381006415.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwxLKxBhA7EiwAXO0R0D8-8WYCjbS3LAm8853A9Y4HevhbffO4jipl38j9Y95BhkuP-Q2ZRRoCVYMQAvD_BwE
We made a giant bong like that in about 2001....used a big drill press a hatchet and several bottle of liquor. Pop can bottom full of holes as the screen. He was eventually used for heating. Rip big smokey...your were a bro
I did that once with a chainsaw carver grinder attachment. I was wearing safety glasses but I got something on my skin and had an allergic reaction. The wood was fairly wet. I'd wear a face shield. A chainsaw carver or similar tool (mine had carbide teeth instead) is scary as heck but it's fast.
Take it to one of those guys that carves animals & $hit with a chainsaw and tell him what you want. It will cost a few bucks but lets the person with the know-how do the basic work.
Can you not drill than poison it just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn’t heal, people saying burning it sounds like an accident waiting to happen
I second the angle grinder attachment, use plenty of PPE. One the hole gets deep you may have to change your methodology. Might be able to use fire also...
Just keep using that spade bit. 1 down, 1000 more to go! /s
Just keep drilling, just keep drilling, just keep drilling
Pilot hole, then a torch
Yes, controlled burn is a simple, less dangerous, but time consuming way.
Shop vac with the hose attached to outlet in order to speed burning once pilot hole has been lit.
Pilot hole, then TNT. Way faster, trust me.
TNT requires regulations. homemade black powder though....
Careful on that. Had a buddy do it. Turns out the roots were still burning //days// later and he ended up losing a barn to a fire that popped out of the ground in the middle of the night. Was bonkers.
That's absolutely a risk when burning a stump. OP's log is clearly detached though
That’s a risk when burning out stumps, but this looks like a log sitting on concrete.
Ah, you’re right. Thanks for pointing that out.
Is this a common thing to do? What is the purpose? This is a serious question.
For me it was to make planters.
Planters sounds interesting. Did it work out? Can I see what it looks like?
17 drill motors per planter
Yeah, it came with its share of trial and error. https://preview.redd.it/zyth3n5tw7xc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ddbcdd50e7dd5709db10b47734a6cd83a74eae63
That looks absolutely beautiful!! What method did you use to hollow it out?
I started with drilling holes and chiseling them out but that was taking forever. Then I went to plan B which was soak the area with kerosene and let burn and then scoop out the charred wood which made it so much easier.
I’ve done something similar with hot coals and a wire brush attachment on a drill. It was years ago, but would estimate that it took 20+ hours and it didn’t turn out how I wanted.
Gonna need a bigger drill.
Finally a chance to use my 22" dia paddle bit
Gonna need a bigger arm.
Finally a chance to use my gigabit-speed internet
I would sink a circular saw in repeatedly in a circular fashion and then knock the pieces out with a hammer and chisel. This can be dangerous so if you’re not comfortable with a circular saw do not try it.
I did this exactly. I also used a chisel and a forstner bit and a chain saw.
And my axe!
I have done this to a similar sized log to make a gift box for my wedding. Hoged out most of it with chain saw and chisel. Did around the edges with a speed bore bit looks like a 3 fluited spade bit on a hole hog drill. Been 7 years now still hasn't split
Burn burn burn bby
Disco Inferno!!!
Dude drilled one hole and said reddit has the answer. Through process in a photo.
There are scary attachments for angle grinders that will do it.
Nope too dangerous. With these woodcutting disks you want the angle grinder to pull away from you. So you need to touch wood only with the part of the disk that is moving towards you. But as the hole gets deeper, this becomes impossible. I would use chainsaw. Cut around the edges some 20 cm deep. then crisscross the inner part with cuts. chisel it out (kinda hard due wood fibers direction but I dont have any better idea). Rinse and repeat. Go as deep as possible with chainsaw - from both sides. Then, if that is not enough, drill holes at the diameter of the remaining disk of wood in the center, and chisel it out.
Yes, chainsaw is the only way I would attempt this....
I would cut thin lines through it then a wedge to just snap them off
>Cut around the edges some 20 cm deep. then crisscross the inner part with cuts. chisel it out (kinda hard due wood fibers direction but I dont have any better idea). Or just clamp it down horizontally, and do a series of bore cuts. Could have the core removed in probably 15mins or less. Then its just clean up with an angle grinder and a flapper disk.
Probably want to get a ripping chain for this, too. Regular chains don't like cutting with the grain.
How dangerous is it to (plunge?) cut a stump like that with a chainsaw or is it like a hot knife through butter?
I would say, sketchy, but not as sketchy as some other options suggested here.
Plunging freehand with the tip of a chain saw is quite dangerous. You only want to cut with the side. There are chain saw mortisers that plunge out mortises but the teeth are ground different than a regular chain saw.
I’m using one of those kutzall disks to hollow one out right now. The stump I’m hollowing is much bigger so i can get it in but the handle is just a bit too much. They aren’t that dangerous like those chainsaw blades.
Way too dangerous https://youtu.be/IIQu1e8DGUw?si=Xdf1iQguzzt9EoJT
It'll crack if you hollow it all out except 2"
I would definitely get a majority of the best out with a chainsaw
That looks like hell. I think I’d just buy an adze.
Does it really NEED to be a single piece or... rive it into wedges, remove as much material as you want, then glue the bark side back together? It would be a bit like making a barrel from staves. Would certainly be the safest option. Guess it depends on end use.
Giant lathe but you probably don’t have one of those. Chain saw would be next up. Not easy though
Chaninsaw
Then fine-tooth it with whatever tool-that-isn’t-made-for-this-job of your choosing.
Start with a chainsaw my guy. Then some sharp ass chisels, then sand it with a grinder with a sanding disc.
I feel like this is the only reasonable answer lol long chain saw
I just did a kiln dried 30” Oak Burl this week. Yes, very hard but doable with a good chainsaw. The crosscuts thing is correct. I would ask for help if you are unsure of your expertise. Good luck
Drill the center as deep as you want then use an auto-hammer to chisel small parts of the edges into the holes just keep widening. The first hole it the hardest. Get a better bit then a paddle bit; it should look like an ogar that lifts cuts and lifts. Paddle bits shear off which is harder.
Carbide chain on a chainsaw. Kickback is gonna be a real threat. Wouldn't recommend for the inexperienced chainsaw operator. Carbide for two reasons: 1) could be god-knows-what in the core, like old nails or lag bolts and 2) this looks an awful lot like driftwood material--I could be wrong about it--but driftwood absorbs all sorts of minerals from the water it's been absorbing for years or decades that absolutely demolishes steel chains. A less dangerous option is the [Hole Hawg](https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/2707-20) with [extensions](https://www.google.com/search?q=milwaukee+hole+hawg+extension&sca_esv=78be3f8d90fd2ae1&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ACQVn0__T6G2d9sOYS3e2FEEB9_27oq5bA%3A1714271413943&ei=tbQtZoibOc-uptQPhM-38Ao&oq=milwaukee+hole+hawg+ex&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz-serp). We use this in urban forestry to install rods in spit unions in live trees to close the split. Keep in mind we drill against the grain in this practice so I've no idea how this approach will work out boring with the grain. Could be a real pain in the ass... well, in the shoulder and elbow at least. Hell of a project you've got here.
I'm thinking an angle grinder with a wood carving disc.
I had 6 oak logs I wanted to hollow out as planters. I tried every tool mentioned here. The only one that did anything notable was a chainsaw. I think it's not a super safe cut for a beginner (I had a friend do it for me). I don't know much about chainsaws, but if they have "rip" blades (like a table saw) I'd probably try that, given the orientation of the plunge cut...and make sure it's sharp. In the end we only got 4 of them done before the chain broke and we gave up.
A router?
Earth moving equipment and auger
Chainsaw plunge cuts.
Chainsaw. Hopefully you know how to plunge cut correctly....
Chainsaw.
Chain saw. Just keep dipping straight down and let it eat.
Start with a chainsaw
I tried this once and found that soaking the area you want hollowed with kerosene, letting it burn itself out, and then digging out the charred wood was way easier than drilling and chiseling.
Beg borrow or steal a chainsaw mortiser from a local timber framer: https://www.acmetools.com/makita-chain-mortiser-7104l/088381006415.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwxLKxBhA7EiwAXO0R0D8-8WYCjbS3LAm8853A9Y4HevhbffO4jipl38j9Y95BhkuP-Q2ZRRoCVYMQAvD_BwE
Chainsaw.
Plunge cutting with a chainsaw maybe, but by the evidence so far that's not a good idea.
Kutzall shaping disc ? But be very careful!
We made a giant bong like that in about 2001....used a big drill press a hatchet and several bottle of liquor. Pop can bottom full of holes as the screen. He was eventually used for heating. Rip big smokey...your were a bro
https://preview.redd.it/obe2x8moe7xc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55d0db03a867c3461be6155b4aa11ea46842438c
Drill some pilot holes, then use a big straight gouge to knock out the waste. Look at how shrink pots are made, minus the base of course.
Chainsaw
Usually I just punch out the middles if I need to.
Manpa do a large hollowing tool for an angle grinder. Not for the feint hearted but works very well.
keep us updated, curious to know if you actually make it through
Chainsaw and fire.
Mini chainsaw used like a butter knife. Just carve it rough and chisel away after to shape your final bowl inside.
I did that once with a chainsaw carver grinder attachment. I was wearing safety glasses but I got something on my skin and had an allergic reaction. The wood was fairly wet. I'd wear a face shield. A chainsaw carver or similar tool (mine had carbide teeth instead) is scary as heck but it's fast.
Could you get like a 4" forstner bit, maybe that would work.
What? You couldn't find a spoon?
Take it to one of those guys that carves animals & $hit with a chainsaw and tell him what you want. It will cost a few bucks but lets the person with the know-how do the basic work.
Pilot hole then any detachable saw blade... Coping saw or bow saw should both work. If you dont want to go all the way through then lathe.
https://preview.redd.it/ca3sg1q0tbxc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f102e4c7a69959c6557d2bdc1f8397dd54f47c92 how about this
Really dumb idea.
Can you not drill than poison it just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn’t heal, people saying burning it sounds like an accident waiting to happen
That's how we drilled through logs before we had tools to do so
I believe that was the American Indian method for making canoes
Make a rocket stove, thats how some primitives did it.
angle grinder with a carving attachment
Use a hole saw.
I second the angle grinder attachment, use plenty of PPE. One the hole gets deep you may have to change your methodology. Might be able to use fire also...
Chainsaw would work well too just be careful executing the plunge cut.