Replies

1. 
   Napie | Nov 03, 2003 11:37pm | #1

   Rough turn them to 1 1/2" thick, wax them, box them with the shavings and let them dry for about 6 months.  Then pull them out and let the air dry for another 4-6 months.  I have had very few check this way.  If you try to dry them as full thickness blanks, they will blow apart.  Also, turning the green wood is a blast and lets you work on your bowl turning skills while roughing them out.

1. 
   Axel | Nov 04, 2003 12:20am | #2

   Thanks fo the reply...A couple of questions:

   When you say wax, do you mean to coat with parrafin?

   When you suggest to turn to 1.5 inches, do you mean wall thickness of 1.5 inches?

   Axel

1. 
   Napie | Nov 04, 2003 01:53am | #3

   A wall thickness of 1.5", any shape you want, bigger bowls require more though, this is OK for any dia. up to about 12".  I use what ever wax is on hand, even old paste wax is fine.  Really it is being in the box with the shavings that slows the drying enough to prevent checking, (I've done it OK without any wax too).

   At that thickness, there is plenty of wood left to turn after it dries into a great bowl.  It's fun and almost free, (gas and oil for the chainsaw is about it).

1. 
   Axel | Nov 04, 2003 03:02am | #4

   Great advice. Thank you!

2. 
   gpwest | Nov 04, 2003 08:17am | #5

   Axel,

     You didn't mention what size your blanks are.  The general rule for rough turning the blanks is turn the walls down to   10 %  of overall diameter.  (15" diameter = 1  1/2 wall thickness.)   GP

1. 
   Axel | Nov 04, 2003 03:37pm | #6

   Hi GP.

   Thanks for the response. I'm taking down several large apple and pear trees and want to make a bunch of blanks for future turning projects. I've turned these woods before, but always from dry blanks provided by others. Napie had some good ideas about rough turning the bowls green, then drying them a while before finishing the turning.

   I'd like to create a lot of blanks when I take down the trees, and don't have time right now to rough turn all the bowls (i can do a few now and will try Napie's method).

   Any suggestions for drying unturned blanks - maybe 10 inches square and 6 inches thick? THANKS!!

   axel

1. 
   Napie | Nov 04, 2003 07:06pm | #7

   Leave tham in big chunks!  I have logs stored for a couple years and only lose the ends.  Also, apple is GREAT with a little spallting going on, it smells like good whiskey whenyou cut it wet.

3. 
   koikid | Nov 05, 2003 05:05am | #8

   Axel,  Just slab out your blanks to the sizes you want or favor the figure of the wood.  Then get some "Green Wood Sealer" I think WoodCraft sells it?  but I know Craft Supplies  carries  it and here is the site. http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/frames/frameset_shop_acc.html

   coat the wood with the sealer and since it is fruit wood I would probably give it two coats, let the coating  dry then then stack it out of the way some where till you get time to turn it.   No it won't last for ever, it will dry some even though it is coated. And also watch for bores after a while they seem to like fruit woods.

   Then when you have the time and can look at the wood and figure out what you want to turn.

   Good luck   Marsh

1. 
   Axel | Nov 05, 2003 03:26pm | #9

   Hi Marsh.

   Thanks for the suggestions!

   axel