Post #73821 by tikitony on Sat, Jan 31, 2004 10:33 PM

chainsaw dude, Then use an angle grinder with a carbon fiber disk (usually the kind they come with, for grinding metal down after a sloppy weld) check here: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=03150 The angle grinder polishes the surface of the palm log, also sealing it. It leaves the surface like this: and for sealing the palm on top of that, use a childrens toys laquer, or wood bowl lacquer which a hardware store should be able to help you find the right one. Dude, go for it, if the thing sucks up the water, than you got yourself a cool planter, and the knowledge of how palm cuts. I suggest an electic cheap chainsaw from Home Depot or somewhere similar, should be around $40 or $50. Just draw a rectangle on top of the log and plunge straight down with the nose of the saw. Go about 2 inches deep in a line, then run the nose of the saw down the same line, only this time hold it at a 45 degree angle, so your cutting "v" shapes. Repeat that method, or just start cutting, you'll figure it out soon enough! I'd start toward the center of the "bowl" until you get more coordinated with the chainsaw. You don't want to eat up the edge and screw up the "bowl". The angle grinder also cuts away wood, although much slower, which could be good for the edges.
GoOd lUck, and just start, get pumped!