Cutting Bourbon Barrel Coaster Blanks to Size

Cut blanks to 14.5" in length, use the coaster blank template to make sure your cuts are going to result in good blanks.

Rip the coaster blank to 5" on the table saw.  Getting a good blank will typically require ripping both edges so you don't end up with tongue and groove in the coaster itself.  

Before planing, it may be necessary to us the hand plane to clean up some glue squeeze out on the non-charred side so the blank is as flat as possible before sending through the planer.  

Do a light plane on the charred side of the blank to clean up glue squeeze out and loose char.