Big auger

[Mark Bolam]

I bought this for £40 at the Festival of the Tree, Westonbirt. It was unfinished, untreated and not completely seasoned with a big crack appearing. I took it home soaked it in 'bug killer' for woodworm for 3 days, coated it in linseed and went to the boat chandlers and put 4 layers of marine varnish over it.

 

That was 4 years ago and it's still with me, no further cracks and a talking point when friends come around for dinner.

 

That elm is amazing but 6k really? I am in awe but I could never afford it no matter how much I love the natural wood.

 

I like that mate. I think it's cracking! (Excuse me, I've had a few....).

 

The hole cutter idea doesn't really work - you need a 9" spindle.

 

I was tempted to bore shallow 26mm holes in the two bits to hold wine bottles by the neck, but then thought better of it. I will wait for my mate Rob D to come up with a solution and tell me!

 

(PM please Rob - we can split the wonga two ways then).