Rusty Swarf@nindokag I'd consider boring out the center before it dries. A round of wood will split while drying, leaving a cross section that looks like a 98% full pie chart. That split will be a problem for you.
If you intend to make a cylindrical drum roughly the diameter of the original piece, cut out the center leaving a ~4" thick ring on the outside.
The wood may be more forgiving to shape while it is still wet.
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