About a month or two ago, I got some free cherry wood logs on craigslist. The tree had been recently cut according to the owner, and not dead at the time. Many of the logs are in the 6-8" diameter range, so I got the idea I would try to make some DYI grilling planks. I don't have a bandsaw so I used my Saws-all (reciprocating saw) to make some 90 degree cross cuts on a log about 6 inches diameter. Thickness of the planks is around 1/2 inch. So far so good. But now, just a few days later, almost every one of the planks is cracking, from the outside in, and some almost all the way to the center of the plank. And by cracks, I mean all the way through. See pic for sample.
Anyone ever tried this and had success? I was wondering if cutting on an angle would help. Or maybe let the log season in log form before cutting?
Or am I on a fool's errand?
Anyone ever tried this and had success? I was wondering if cutting on an angle would help. Or maybe let the log season in log form before cutting?