Replies

1. 
   frenchy | Dec 04, 2006 06:13pm | #1

   Harold,  turn them green!

    Much better way to turn them and once you turn them they are so thin they quickly dry out  (just don't seal them up for a month or so)

    If you dry the log it will take a long time (many many years) to dry and the stress of drying will tend to introduce checks in the logs (which makes the log very poor for turning)   A standard rule of thumb is that it takes a year for ever inch to dry my actaull experiance is that while one inch will dry in about a year two inches will take nearly three years and 4 inches etc..

1. 
   harold12 | Dec 04, 2006 06:43pm | #2

   What do I do with them once I turn them green.  Leave the bowl thicker and then finish turn it? 

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 05, 2006 01:13am | #3

   Harold

   Yes.  Leave it oversized.  A fine chap by the name of Dave Smith over at Woodcentral came up with a formula of soaking the green turning in an alcohol mixture to displace the water in green turnings, thus almost completely eliminating checking.  He has charts, etc... about exactly how much width to leave.  You might want to drop in over there and ask him, as I haven't ever seen him post here.  After his turnings lose the necessary weight in water, it's safe to rechuck them and finish turning them to their desired end result.  Good luck, and happy holidays.

   Jeff

2. 
   johnlill | Dec 05, 2006 01:37am | #4

   Harold,

   I'm just a beginning woodturner but, due to a recent major storm in Buffalo, I got a lot of free wood - including some walnut, I had great luch turning the green wood to a bout 3/4 - 1" thickness, drying in the microwave, then finish turning. I also turned one to final thickness and microwaved it - the bowl warped, as expected, but no checks or cracks. There are several methods on microwave turning but here's what I do:

   turn the green wood to 3/4 - 1" wall thickness

   Put in a brown paper bag (or wrap in 3 or 4 layers of newspaper)

   Put in the microwave @ 30% power for 3 minutes

   Let sit in the microwave for 30 minutes

   Repeat # 3-5 3 times

   put the bowl in a container filled with wet shavings from the bowl overnight.

   The next day repeat steps 3-6 but @ 40% power for 3 1/2 minutes

   The next day repeat at 50% power for 4 minutes.

   Your bowl should be dry but let it sit in the air for a couple of days then finish turn

   As I said, I am just a rookie but this works for me and you don't have to wait months to complete your bowl. Your mileage nay vary :)

   Happy turning!

   John L

1. 
   harold12 | Dec 05, 2006 04:25pm | #5

   Thank you all for your input.  Happy Holidays.