I was lucky enough to get a truck full of willow burls today. I just bought a new lathe and I’m still a couple of weeks away from turning anything.
What is the best way to preserve these burls until I can get to them?
I would guess that burl is a bit tougher to turn than straight grain wood due to the shifting direction of the grain. Any tips?
I read a recent thread about soaking in denatured alcohol and would be willing to give it a try. Otherwise would filling a barrel with water and soaking them give me some time to get set up?
Any and all input appreciated.
Andy
Replies
AndyE
The standard I see most use is put it in a sealed plastic bag untill use..
I generally preserve my burls with parafin wax. I buy a big 10lb block from a craft store and melt it with a plumbers torch to the open grain if the burls- leaving the bark side or sides untouched. Burls are usually a bear to turn. Now willow trees are a pretty gnarly wood so that species coupled with burl might make for a fun afternoon.
good luck.
Eddie
I’d rough out bowls as soon as you can. Turn them to about 1 ½” to 2” think, coat them with wax. I then store them in cardboard boxes stuffed with the shavings for about six months. Then on open shelving in the shop loft. I lose less than 5% to checking. They finish turn very well.
Thanks guys. If I can find some free time tomorrow, I will try to get these out of the truck and deal with them. I am going to try sealing the cut surfaces as best I can. I found a can of anchorseal in the basement that may be enough to cover what I need.
I was surprised at the weight of these pieces. This was a solid, live tree and I expected the chunks to be heavier for their size than they are.
The best turner I've ever seen, Dan DeLuz on the big Island in Hawaii rough turns his bowls quickly, then dunks them in a big tank of dilute lacquer. Then sets them on shelves for six months.
Stef
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled