Replies

1. 
   dgreen | Jan 12, 2009 06:52am | #1

   I use a paper bag full of chips.

    

    

   ................................................

   Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.
   ~ Denis Diderot

2. 
   oatman | Jan 12, 2009 07:30am | #2

   I've not tried the microwave yet. I understand it can get rather smelly, so best to use a surplus appliance not meant to be used for food in the future. I have heard you can put the piece in a plastic bag, heat briefly until warm, let dry, and repeat. Don't rush it. I prefer the alcohol soak method for drying green bowls after rough turning. I find it speeds up the drying process considerably, although it is not immune from problems. I currently have a rough turned burl bowl that is developing a very large crack, much to my dismay.

   Dennis

1. 
   maybaby | Jan 12, 2009 10:14am | #3

   Traditional drying involves turning the rough out and leaving about 10% of the original and then putting the blank in the paper bag with a reasonable amount of chips from the rough out. Date the bag as it takes ,depending on the temp or your location and drying area, about 5-6 months to be dry enough for final turning. There is the dipping it in the alcohol method to drive out the water but I have always felt that was a waste of good whiskey. You can also build a drying cabinet with forced hot air that will normally dry it out in a week or two. All told its not an overnight process and will take some time. Good Luck

   Edited 1/12/2009 2:16 am ET by maybaby

3. 
   johnlill | Jan 12, 2009 05:11pm | #4

   I frequently use a microwave. Sometimes I rough turn the green piece, microwave it, and finish turn. But sometimes I turn it to finished size and microwave it. It will warp but for some pieces it's pretty cool. I'm no expert, but here's what I do:

   Put the bowl in a brown paper bag with newspaper in the inside and a couple layers on the outside of the bowl. Set the microwave for 30% power and mic for 3 minutes. let sit for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour and repeat. Wait another hour and repeat. the next day, do the same thing and the same the day after that. That's it. Sometimes I set the oven to 40% on the 3rd day. Ovens vary so experiment.

   Have fun!

   John L

4. 
   Napie | Jan 12, 2009 06:22pm | #5

   It is a pretty simple process.  I rough turn to about 1 ½” thick for a 12” diameter bowl, coat it with cheap paste wax and pack it in a cardboard box with its own shavings.  I use the box because it will allow moisture exchange.  It stays there for three to six months and then on open shelves for a few more months.  The shavings end up being mulch for my garden (unless they are walnut or butternut).

   I usually rough out a lot of bowls at one time whenever I get a good log and pack them pretty tightly in the boxes.  Currently I have at least five hundred rough bowls in the loft of my shop, some are five years or older.  It takes a while to build up a stock but once you get a year’s worth you have plenty of stock ready to go.  When you come across a good log it is a great way to bust it down and store it.  I just got thirty blanks 4” to 10” from a nice mulberry tree the guy down the road cut down last month.  Look for some box elder, great color, dries well and easy to turn and finish.  Also if you can find an orchard beg some apple, it’ll be small stuff but it is really beautiful.

   You can rough turn lidded boxes the same way.  Hollow them and tape the lid to the base reversed so the ends are open and let them dry.  They only take a month or two.  This works so well and is fast because there is so much exposed end grain the moisture passes out of the blank very quickly. 

   
5. 
   flairwoodworks | Jan 13, 2009 07:00am | #6

   Frank,

   The method I use most often is putting the bowl in a cardboard box and surround the bowl with shavings from the turning session. I use a box rather than a bag because they stack nicer. The wet shavings slow down the drying process.

   I have used the microwave, but would recommend using a dedicated shop microwave rather than the kitchen nuker. If you turn the walls thin enough and heat up the wood enough in the microwave, you can manipulate the bowl to a degree. Think steam bending.

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
   (soon to be www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

6. 
   ShavedwoodDotcom | Aug 06, 2009 09:52pm | #7

   Personally I hate to wait so I use the dish soap method...it works and I love how easy it is.....http://www.shavedwood.com/green-wood-treatment/

   Rob

1. 
   oldusty | Aug 08, 2009 04:58pm | #8

   Rob ,

              Very cool , amazing really , sure beats p.e.g. or worse results .

           When I turned Green some cracked and some were better , I wax burnished them on the lathe .

             thanks for sharing this unconventional and non traditional way

                        regards from Oregon       dusty

2. 
   twotowers | Aug 09, 2009 01:14am | #9

   Hay and it gives your hand a soft - want to be touched - youthful look too!TT