I've seen some wood workers... I need advice

[dpvandy01]

I have a large pine stump about 8' tall and 8" diameter... I am looking to remove the bark and shellac. I plan to use a hole saw around the circumference into which I can put the neck of a bottle of wine for a wine rack.. I've seen this done but I don't know what I need to do to prep the log. What is the best way to remove the bark? Do I need to let it dry to remove some of the sap? If so where and how? I'm gearing up for a winter project. Does anyone have any insight?

 

[midway]

It does need to dry, pine tar is no fun, it gets everywhere and sticks to everything and is difficult to clean up. Unless you have access to some type of wood curing facility you are going to have to air dry. Lumber yards air dry out in the open. Bark removal, not sure. I think you are going to need a Forstner Bit and a drill press to make the holes for the bottle necks to fit in. The hole saw will have a pilot hole for the center drill bit and a circle for the saw and that will only be 1 maybe 2 inches deep. That is my thoughts on this project, it does sound like an interesting project. Just figuring out how to do most of it is and interesting project. I do some woodworking just not this type project, at least not yet. Good luck on it and I hope it turns out great. Come back with photos when you finish.

 

[midway]

A link that may help, several links on the page about drying, maybe one could offer some help.

http://www.woodweb.com/KnowledgeBase/WDKBPPAirDryingLumber.html

 

[Woody]

I would do a search for lumber mills in your area with kilns. I would think you could make arrangements with them to dry your pc. The right mill might have a pc already dried that you can purchase. An 8" dia. pc of pine will not dry very quickly by air drying and will delay your winter project.

 

[Nehalennia]

Is the stump still alive? I would try and get the bark off while the wood is the wettest. Midway may be right that that pitch is messy but it will be easier if it's still alive. If not
simply get a draw knife and go to town

We did this making a railing at my Aunt and Uncle's Cabin with Sappling Alders, much less messy and/or pitchy than pine, but it was a nice railing when we were done.
Drilling the holes for the bottles may be trickier. The forstner bit is a great clean cutting bit but may not be long enough to pass through the 8" dia you stated. I'm not sure the dia you want to drill through but you may want to route the edges for a taper there too?

 

[SearayPaul]

I would not use a pine log for this project. You will never get that monster dry. The sap will haunt you forever, kind of like my spelling. Look around for a different type of tree such as a cherry or pecan.