Cut Wine Barrels
Cutting wine barrels is a cost saving way to add decor to your exterior areas. Purchasing a whole barrel gives you the option to cut it to the desired size for your project. Both new and used wine barrels have been re-purposed for fountains, planters, table bases, rain barrels and many other outdoor uses. This is a moderate project which is most easily performed with power tools. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Purchase an empty wine barrel. Most barrels are made of oak and weigh 120 to 150 pounds. Transporting and cutting the barrel should be done with two strong adults.
2. Prepare a cutting surface. Lay the barrel down and have clearance to roll it several feet forward or backwards. If using hand tools, spreading heavy duty plastic makes for an easier cleanup.
3. Mark the barrel for cutting. All wine barrels should be cut on the wood surface between the metal stave. Cutting through the stave without prior reinforcement, can cause the barrel to fall apart.
If you are cutting the barrel in half, the bunghole can be a perfect guide for measuring and marking the barrel. Mark the center point on each side of the bunghole, and use a tape measure or chalk line to continue that point around the entire circumference of the barrel. If cutting a ¼ barrel, measure the distance between the staves, find the center point and mark around the entire barrel.
4. Cut the barrel. Two adults are needed while cutting the barrel. Both adults should wear protective eye wear and heavy duty gloves. One person holds an edge steady and slowly rolls the barrel, and the other operates the saw. Using a small hand saw is very time consuming; a jigsaw is much safer. You can also use a circular saw with a wood-cutting blade, but be careful of any kickback from the power of the saw.
5. Sand the edges of the separated barrel lightly with sandpaper and seal the entire barrel with an outdoor grade seal.
Tags: cutting barrel, around entire, barrel cutting, center point, entire barrel, heavy duty, wine barrels