I have heard that some bowl turners will put small projects in the microwave to dry quickly. Can some one explain the process to me. I understand that drying the wood with way will also cause a lot of cracks and stress in the wood.
Thanks
Wayne in KY
Replies
I have used a microwave on occasion when I needed a small block of wood to finish up a newel post cap on one of my stairs. The thing to watch is not to let it get to hot. If you can't hold it in your hand after you take it out its to hot. Before you start, weigh the block on a gram scale, note the weight and put the block in the micro and set on high defrost for 20 minutes. Check the heat. Reset for another 20 minutes and repeat. Weigh the block after an hour, again if it's to hot let it cool down slowly. After the third cycle I mist the block down with water to help prevent the outer shell from case hardening. Watch the action through the window, if you notice small end checks take the block out and wet the ends with water. At some point, the weight loss will stabilize and you are pretty much done. Depending on size this could take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours including cool down time. Word of advice, move the microwave outside because it will make the house smell like the cat pissed on the radiator.
The birdseye corner on the bar armrest in the photo was dried in a micro.
Edited 3/11/2003 4:23:20 PM ET by Armin a.k.a. The Laminator
Be Careful!
I was always under the impression that things wouldn't, or don't easily catch fire in a microwave oven. Wrong. I almost became a Darwin award candidate by puting a piece of cherry on hi for too long. Took literally weeks to get the smell out of the garage/shop. Use defrost as suggested and begin with short, 2 minute sessions and work up until you get to where you're comfy with how hot the wood gets at the longer times. Defrost is definitely a better choice than hi!
Dennis in Bellevue WA
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