StumpyJoe

Thanks for the advice Alec - I'll relay my experiences later on the hand tool aspect. In the meantime I've pm'd Si to see if he thinks it could be a goer to chainsaw out the rough.

Spot on with your assessment Rob and glad to know you think it's a worthwhile request - I wait and see.

Yes, thanks again guys - the treet Oak bench in Mutley's first link is sort of what I had in mind - with arms but it only needs to be cut rough and I can finish off. I'm definitely thinking not to do the chainsaw bit myself now and I can't really afford much more to pay someone so if I can't get a friendly local sometime soon, I shall probably try to shape it with hand tools.

Thanks for the info folks. The idea tho was not to have it milled as such - I appreciate that this would be more time consuming and probably really not worth making planks or boards out of but rather to have a bench cut out of the stump as a one-piece item (possible need separate legs). And it was primarily for sentimental reasons - for my kids to have a bench each - they grew up with these trees and had great fun in them.

Pictures: [/img]

Hi James, Thanks for the reply - I know Horse Chestnut is not really good for anything but as you say it's what I've got! Do you have any particular comments on its warping/splitting properties etc. The stumps are out of the ground - I'll try again to add some pictures again. Can someone tell me how to add the pictures please? I'm imagining a couple or three hours work is all that's needed for someone local - I only want the basic cuts doing so that I can manipulate the remainder - for payment I accept it wouldn't be a good industry rate but I am weighing it against the money I had sort of expected to pay to equip myself with basic equipment and am just asking the question - could still be a bit over the 100 by the time I add some safety equipment.

I’ve got two large tree stumps left over from some trees that were felled in our garden recently. They are both horse chestnut and around 5 foot in length and 2 to 3 foot in diameter (pictures available but I don't know how to get them into this post). The (wife’s) idea is that I make some rustic garden furniture from them (probably two separate benches and coffee table tops from some other smaller pieces) and I’m thinking that I might need some advice and/or help – as follows: Firstly on what is likely to happen to the wood as it dries out – as regards warping, cracking, etc. - and on anything I can do to minimise this – what would be a minimum/maximum for finished thickness – should I oil it and can I only do this on fully seasoned timber, etc.. Secondly, on how to cut out of the main shapes – My first thoughts were for asking advice on what kind of chainsaw I might need to make the main cuts and how to go about it safely. But, having googled this and having discovered that it might be a bit iffy for a novice chainsaw user to stand atop the stumps and start hacking away at them, I am now asking if any experienced chainsaw user out there (preferably someone with an artistic eye and local to the Warrington area) is prepared to come and make the main cuts for me – so that a rough shape remains that I can then physically move and finish off by hand / with diy power tools. Like most of the rest of the country I am a bit strapped for cash but could afford to pay what it would otherwise cost me for a cheap or second hand chainsaw (maybe c. £100) and I suppose this way I get to keep all my limbs! All help/advice/opinions welcome.