Take A Picture, It Might Last Longer

Hello Trifern;
....and then who knows, those cracks might be-come worthy, as they age and ferment with character.

Glad to see//read that you are using those ‘brown paper’ bags….great trick//tip and one that I’ve found most use-full when it comes to saving pieces of wood from crack theft.

Great turning….and;

Thank you.
GODSPEED,
Frank

-- --frank, NH, http://frank.wordpress.com/

Joe, that’s a beautiful turning! Keep us posted on how this one turns out!

Thanks for posting it.

-- Martin, Kansas

Sweet looking Joe – can’t wait to see it with finish.

-- Dan Wiggins

There is a technique using alcohol that will reduce or eliminate the cracking. You soak the just turned object in alcohol and then wrap it in paper. Set it aside out of reach of anything flammable. The wood will dry much better a quicker than other methods of drying.
David Marks wrote an article about this and other drying processes. Below is the link.

http://www.djmarks.com/stories/djm/alternative_ways_to_dry_wood_turnings_91744.asp

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

I kinda like the shape too. And I think Frank has a good point in that those cracks could add some distinctive character to the piece. It will be interesting to see how it finishes up.

And, by the bye, I like your new tag line.

-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

One other process for drying a piece that will be twice turned is to put a cheap baby diaper in the bag with the wood. The diaper absorbs moisture from the wood. I also like to paint the first turning with cheap latex paint to help prevent the wood from drying to fast. If you make sure that your first turning has a uniform wall and bottom thickness the cracking and splitting will be minimized. I have fill cracks with Inlace material to create a visual effect. Your open form looks great so far and looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

I hope the water bath and paper bag works out for you. That is a nice vessel. It would be a shame to lose it to cracking.

Thanks for all the feedback. I checked on it tonight and the majority of the cracks have closed back up and it is looking good. I should be able to finish it in a week or so.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

So how is it looking now.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

It looks like this.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.