How to cut up taphole lumber

[killingworthmaple]

I have a butt end of a very large maple tree that's been taped for years and would like to get out of it some tap hole lumber to make a table with. However I don't know how I should tackle this log to get the best result. The log is about 36 inches across. Thanks in advance for your advise.

Nathan
860-604-8115

[maple flats]

Unless you have reason to think it has been tapped for much of it's 12"+ life, I'd suggest you quartersaw it. Be ready to hit metal, because a missed tap before plastic spouts (spiles) will be likely a time or more. Use a good metal detector. If it was only tapped for 20-30 years and you flat saw it, you will have lots of no tap hole wood thru the center, which you'd then need to rip the boards to have a good showing of tap hole in the tabletop.