Liquid resin?? Never used it, but it sounds like a wonderful idea. I could do it all by myself except getting those big rocks out of the riverbed. I think you have been a genius with your suggestions. Wish you could join me on my benches down by the river this summer
Wish you could join me on my benches down by the river this summer<<<
So do I.
LOL, once you see the depth the resin gives, you will want them at the house too....LOL More rocks.
Tree slabs, coated with resin were a real rage about 30/40 years ago in Calif and sold for big prices.
The one that stuck in my mind, had turquoise stones/chips, in a big knot hole and then the hole filled with resin, it was a beautiful slab table and the resin pocket was a bit like looking into a stream or water pocket.
Down near Signal, on the other side of the Hualapai mountains, we found a running stream and a little copper ore chips, the stream must have been all of 2 foot wide at its widest and then we saw a waterfall, it was hot and I headed to the waterfall, going to get all wet........and Bill yelled:
“There is something behind the waterfall, come back”.
It is a good thing I was a fast mover, for there was a den of wild Boars living behind the waterfall.
Never did get wet or find the source of the copper ore.
We left.
I have been thinking a bit about your bench...
Splitting will work, and split wood like split shingles weather for a long time (much longer than sawn) As Granny has suggested, they will not be smooth and pleasant to sit on. The resin will definitely work, but ultraviolet light tends to make it milky over time. It works great indoors though. You may have seen some tables with seashells, coins, trinkets imbeded in the thick finish - that is the resin ‘cast’ surface.
A crosscut saw could be used, but believe me, it is exhausting to cut the length of a 6’ log. (Since we are none as young as our brains think we are.)
I think that what may be a solution would be using a chainsaw to split the log. While you could cut it freehand if you have a good ‘eye’ and steady control, it would probably be easier to make a temporary jig to guide the saw. This does work, and is the basis for the Alaska Sawmill that is widely sold, using a chainsaw to take the place of a circular saw or band saw as larger sawmills use.
Let’s see, if you have that log there, how about asking him - ‘Do you have a minute?’ Would you start the chainsaw for me so I can cut this log in half... (grin) You know he will then do it to show you how it is done... That was one my mother used to use with very good results - My wife uses that on me too. We guys are a sucker for that line.
Hey, on another topic... Maybe you could give us all some tips on locating antique parts online to help us also fix up our equipment as needed.