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Help! - Cracks and Checks

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Help! - Cracks and Checks

#1

Help! - Cracks and Checks

Todd Nebel

>Hello,

I purchased a blank of mahogany 4.5" X 12" X 12". A couple of weeks back. I'm in the middle of finishing another project and can't produce saw dust for about another week or two. I noticed today that the blank is drying out and developing cracks and checks. Is there a trick or two to stop or slow this down until I can turn it? I put masking tape over the end grain in hopes of keeping the air out - borrowing from the wax idea. Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks,

Todd

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

#2

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

TDaniel

>Wrap it in about 6 layers of newspaper and put it in a cardboard box.

TD

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

#3

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

Loren Brooks, Joliet Il

>Put it in the freezer. that should stop the loss of moisture. But make sure you let it thaw out be for you turn it when you are ready.

Loren

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

#4

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

Greg

>Maybe putting it in the freezer will stop the cracking (I don't *think* it will), but it won't cause a loss of moisture. As a matter of fact, I think it will dry it out more, but maybe at a slower pace.

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

#5

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

Greg

>Ooops, I meant it won't cause the loss of moisture to stop. In other words, I think it will actually make it dry out.

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

#6

The Freezer Dose Work

Loren Brooks, Joliet Il

>I have several blanks in the freezer and have turned many that have been frozen. When they thaw they are just as wet as when they were fresh cut. I read this trick in Ernie Conover's book "Turn A Bowl Getting great results the first time Around" The one thing I forgot to mention was put it in a bag first. If you have the book it is on Page 49 Step # 3. HE said they will keep indefinitely, however I have only used 2 year old blanks with great sucsess. No checks or cracks. I also had a shower while turning them.

Loren

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

#7

Re: The Freezer Dose Work

Greg

>Loren,

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't see how it would work without the blank being in a bag. Thanks for the tip!

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

#8

Re: The Freezer Dose Work

Loren Brooks, Joliet Il

>Seems like I am always forgetting something. And one more word of caution. Don't wrap the blank in butcher paper or the wife might try to coook it for sunday dinner. LOL Have a great day and keep on turning.

Loren

Re: Help! - Cracks and Checks

#9

Especially if it's beefwood. :-)

Greg

>

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