Drying sycamore
EagleS.C.
>I was given some sections of sycamore.
2 will be big enough for limbs but the larger piece may make a bowl.
I know about sealing the ends, but should I leave the bark on or take it off the larger piece about 10" in dia.
Drying sycamore
Posts
Re: Drying sycamore
#2Re: Drying sycamore
EagleS.C.
>I just re read my original post,small correction
was given some sections of sycamore.
2 will be big enough for PENS but the larger piece may make a bowl.
I know about sealing the ends, but should I leave the bark on or take it off the larger piece about 10" in dia.
Re: Drying sycamore
#3Re: Drying sycamore
Gary Evans, Tallassee, TN
>I have found sycamore to be pretty stable, but it is still not a bad idea to leave the bark on. This may slow down surface checking. Best bet with any green wood is to cut it, rough it and let it sit.
Gary
Re: Drying sycamore
#4Re: Drying sycamore
Jim D. Clayton, NJ
>My experence with Sycamore is that no matter what you try it is going to lose a good portion of the bark. I have three "Y"'s out back right now and most of the bark is gone. I check it once a week and peel off what is loose and then seal that area to try and prevent splitting.
Jim D.
Re: Drying sycamore
#5Re: Drying sycamore
Ed in No.VA
>I just turned some Sycamore last week. Made 2 small bowls and gave them overnight in DNA then bagged for 2 days. I needed something for Art Liestman's workshop so I used one of the bowls. It was still slightly damp but stable. It has been exposed for a week now and still no cracks. This surprised me as Sycamore is a real bear to dry for flatwork. It twists and crawls all over the shop. Rough turn and seal should work fine.
Re: Drying sycamore
#6Re: Wow. My experience is exactly opposite.
Al Crandall --NE of Indy--
>It may be just a difference in when the trees were felled, but I have had very good success with the bark staying on a sycamore natural edge roughout while drying. I attributed it to the fact that the bark is so thin. I have 4 sections in my pile which would make 20" minimum finished bowls and I haven't noticed them shedding bark yet.
Re: Drying sycamore
#7
Re: Wow. My experience is exactly opposite.
Brad Vietje
>I think you might be agreeing, in a sense. Jim is leaving the bark on a log segment, which usually results in the bark coming loose. In your case, drying a roughed-out bowl allows the bark to dry and adhere to the sapwood below -- Jim's will be moist for years, and will likely come off.
Most people report that turning a natural-edge bowl right away is the best way to keep the bark on; the wood and bark may flex and bend, but often the bark will stay attached. The longer you wait, the lower the chances of success.
Safe spinning,
Brad Vietje
Thetford, VT
