[Jewelry making - Article 00005] - Re: [Orchid] Uses for Tree Stumps

[Cameron Potter]

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Hi Christine,

    Stumps can be useful for several things, but the answer to "What do
    you use them for?"  Is most likely, what do you want to use them
    for. 

    An anvil on a stump is a good idea, as a blacksmith I have an anvil
    on a welded and one on a stump.  The problem is that the height of
    different anvils means that the stump must be of an appropriate
    height for the specific anvil. 

    My advice would be not to cut it to size until you have the anvil. 

    THEN, if you want the anvil for light work (ie small jewellery style
    work) then the anvil should be up to the height of an inch or two
    below your hammer face when your arm is held at a loose kind of 90
    degree angle. 

    If you want it for heavy work, you should stand beside it and the
    knuckles of your fist should just brush the top of the anvil. 

    Who knew there was so much to just choosing a support!  ;) 

    As for other uses.  If you have a handy chainsaw around, cut a ring
    that you can stand on which will compensate for the above problems
    listed with anvil height.  This of course is only any good if the
    stump is wide enough to be stable. 

    Also, I would tend to use discs instead of stumps for other uses as
    they are lighter and easier to manipulate (and can be put on
    tables/anvils as needed). 

    Other uses: 

    Carve shapes out of them and you can get reasonably good dishing
    bowls, sure they won't be perfect, but if you work only in one
    section you should be able to make a pretty good bowl shape.  Also,
    to harden such a wooden dishing bowl, heat a large rounded object
    (such as an old tow-ball) and scorch the wood. 

    As for drying, large block of wood generally take about a year for
    every 2 inches of depth.  Thus, I suggest that you don't worry about
    that, but maybe cut yourself another stump that can be left to dry
    and be used later if desired. 

    As for de-bugging it, I wouldn't have a clue! 

    Depends on the bugs I guess.  Generally if you strip the bark off,
    the bugs are usually only in the bark and they will leave, unless it
    has termites, and then you don't want it for a stump anyway... 

Cam


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