I’ve got a stack of recently-cut butternut logs that I’d like to make into bandsawn boxes. Well, I’d like to make the usable bits into boxes anyway.
I’m going to be using a chainsaw to get it to manageable size – 4″ to 6″ x 24″ chunks sound good, and I’m planning on sealing the ends.
Couple of questions:
What should I use to seal the ends? Is the paraffin they sell for making candles all right?
Should I cut the pieces to a smaller thickness (bandsaw, not chainsaw) to let them dry, and then glue them back together?
If there’s a good source on drying small quantities of wood, I’d love to hear about it.
Replies
If you use candle paraffin, you'll have to make a melting setup, and make sure that it doesn't overheat the wax and ignite it. I use asphalt emulsion intended for roof repair. I smear it on with a putty knife. The stuff will seal to wet roofs, so you know it'll seal to the freshly-cut end of the log. It is something like $7 for a gallon can, and is available at most any builder's store.
Simon,
Sealtite from Klingspore (http://woodworkingshop.com) works well, and is only $9.95 / gallon (see link below). Their customer service is also top notch.
http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/CC4D414D/mac/additmdtl.mac/showItemDetail?item=SK60000&qtyA=0&phsO=N&desc=SEALTITE%20WOOD%20SEALER%20*%2B&drpshp=N&alOrd=Y&iQty=.000&oQty=.000&initQty=1&itemForSale=Y&styleName=&fixD=&face=.00&gftc=&stck=Y&prefS=&calledFrom=DS&ordInfo1=&ordInfo2=&ordInfo3=&ordMan1=N&ordMan2=N&ordMan3=N&persCode=&persReqd=&persLink=
Dan Kornfeld, Owener/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
Simon -
I use Pentacril (sp) end grain sealer which I pick up at Rockler or Woodcraft. What I like about it is that it's an emuslified wax that's water soluable initially but dries to a waxy film. It breathes to some extent and if you dilute it 50-50 with water, it breathes even more.
Cost wise it's probably not the least expensive material available but it's a lot less messy to work with.
Dennis in Bellevue WA
[email protected]
The smaller the pieces the better off you are. 4"X6"X24" are big pieces and you should expect a fair amount of checking. I'm not sure what bandsaw boxes are. Are they boxes you cut curved matching edges with the bandsaw?
Jim F.
Yes, bandsawn boxes are the (usually) curved boxes, cut-up and reglued so that the grain all looks like the wood in the middle was magically removed.
On the paraffin, I've already got a melting setup since my wife makes candles once in a while. I know that the thicker pieces will check more, but hopefully the paraffin will keep that minimal. The box approach should hopefully let me cut around whatever checking does happen.
I'll definitely be looking into Pentracryl and the other options mentioned here as well!
Thanks, everyone!
I tried parafin once and the mice chewed it off the ends of the logs.
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