What is the optimum moisture content?

Re: What is the optimum moisture content?

Richard Allen

>Hi Bill

I like turning wet wood, the wetter the better. So for me, from the point of what is the most fun, I would say wet wood is a LOT more fun than dry wood. I turn wood for fun so the optimum moisture content for tuning wood is as wet as the wood can be.

When I am looking to make round pieces then dry wood is necessary.

Thanks

Ruchard

Re: What is the optimum moisture content?

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Hi Bill

I think the optimum moisture content is equlibrium content - that is, the wood is in harmony with its surroundings. I build furniture too, and I read all the time about people who brag about their stuff being made from wood that has been dried to 6%-8% MC before it is assembled. Well guess what? No one, or at least very few, keeps their house environment controlled that closely all year round. A piece will survive best if it is constructed to live in the environment in which it will find itself. I think the same things holds true with turnings.

Now, having written that, I agree with Richard that wet wood is the best for fun turning. Dry wood is the best for finishing though. I am impatient too, but rather than try to find a way to finish a piece all at once, I turn bunches - well, at least as many as I can and build up a stock of dry pieces that can be finished. That way I get the best of both worlds.

Bill

Re: What is the optimum moisture content?

Bert Smith

>Bill,

I've found that when a sealed blank registers a surface moisture content of 20%, I can turn a bowl with very little movement and no checking. A day or two later I check for movement by mounting it back on the lathe and letting it spin. A very fine shear cut will take care of any wobble, and the bowl is ready to finish.

This has worked for me with every wood except for walnut, and that's probably because I don't recalculate the moisture meter to allow for it.

The thickness of the blank doesn't seem to make a difference, as long as the surface is 20%. I admit, however, that most of my blanks are in the 5-6" thickness range.

If I am going to sell the piece I will let it set in the house for a couple weeks just to be on the safe side...

Bert

5-6 inches thick?

BubbaBob

>

Re: 5-6 inches thick?

Bert Smith

>8-9" diameter by 5-6" thick is about all my Jet mini will do.

Re: 5-6 inches thick?

Bill Hale / The Wood Spinner

>Bert

I have to assume, bad choice of words, that you do not meen thick but tall. How thick is the wall , inside to outside ?

Good turning and be safe

Bill

Re: 5-6 inches thick?

Bert Smith

>Bill,

After rereading my first post maybe I should be more clear. My bowl "blanks" that I cut out on the bandsaw are 5-6" thick. Does this make better sense? I was saying that when the surface moisture content of these blanks reach 20%, I feel comfortable turning them start to finish in a couple days without further treatment.

My bowls and vessels end up between 1/8 - 1/4", with a slightly thicker base.

I was trying to show Bill a way to turn a bowl in one setting, while addressing moisture content. I try to make an effort to bandsaw several blanks a month, anchorseal them, and put them on a shelf. This way I always have a batch of blanks that are drying at different times.

Bert