cutting up an aspen stump

[DLJeffs]

I have an aspen stump that we took down in 2024 and I finally dug the stump out this past summer. The stump section I saved is roughly 16-20" diameter and about 24" long. My buddy with the chain saw that helped me take down the trees asked if I still had that stump and still wanted to cut it up. I think there might be a little figure or at least attractive pastel shades of wood inside. I think it will work best to make turning blanks. So my question is how to best slice and dice it? Can someone describe the way to get the best pieces or point me towards a web site that explains it? If I get some decent looking blanks I'll offer them on here to anyone interested.

 

[Karl_TN]

Unsure if I can offer any help, but a pic might help here.

 

[trc65]

Here is one site that shows some options in cutting a log. Always varies from ideal, but it will be a starting point in thinking about how to cut it.

Cutting Bowl Blanks from a Log – Dougs Turnings

www.dougsturnings.com

 

[Firewood Potter]

Most stumps around here are loaded with chert gravel. One piece of this gravel will dull a chainsaw.

 

[DLJeffs]

Here is one site that shows some options in cutting a log. Always varies from ideal, but it will be a starting point in thinking about how to cut it.

Cutting Bowl Blanks from a Log – Dougs Turnings

www.dougsturnings.com

Thanks Tim, this is sort of what I was expecting based on reading other posts here about cutting away the pith etc. Maybe I should state the first question is this even worth the effort? I don't have a lathe so I'm only doing this if someone thinks there's a useful blank in there. If not, I'll chop it up small enough to go into the weekly trash pick up and be done with it. I'm guessing it also pays to determine where there are significant cracks or checks and maybe cut along those lines rather than leave those cracks in the middle of the blank. Here's a couple quick pics. It isn't as big as I thought it was (sure felt bigger when I was trying to dig it out of there).

Top (this was the end that was left above ground when we took the tree down over a year and half ago). The cracks don't go far.


Here's the opposite end, this end was buried in the ground until I dug it out last summer. There were two large roots attached here but about 4 - 5 inches diameter.


Here's a side view. You can see where I chopped off one of the big roots I mentioned.

 

[DLJeffs]

Most stumps around here are loaded with chert gravel. One piece of this gravel will dull a chainsaw.

Yeah, I learned that the hard way when I rented a chain saw to cut up a sweetgum stump at our old house. Didn't even get one cut made and the blade was smoking. The guy at the rental place was pissed.

 

[2feathers Creative Making]

Looks like you got the hard part (clean up) done. Yes cut it up! Every root junction has a chance of feather and curl! I put a maple stump through the saw and came up with a sweet curly cube. I would recommend turning it over about 3 times then just chop it. We have a tendency to overthink these things. You got the crack thing figured right.