I’ve recently purchased my first bandsaw and started milling some lumber from a freshly cut tree. I know I need to seal the end grain of the boards to prevent splitting, but I’m not certain what is the best material to use for that purpose.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Steve
Replies
At this point, it's probably too late. Ends should be sealed within a day or two of felling. After that, the ends have already begun to dry. You basically have two choices. One is to cut off about 2-4 inches of each board and then seal or you can just leave them be and see how bad the ends check. Some woods do not really need end sealing.
If you want to trim and seal them now, the preferred sealant is a water emulsified wax called AnchorSeal. You can also paint on a thick coating of melted paraffin. Paint of any type is almost worthless as they all will allow watervapor to pass through. Latex paint is specifically designed to allow moisture to pass through so it is of little use as a moisture sealer.
Solid advice.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.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
Ive always used any heavey laxet paint
LOL, years ago, before I knew it wouldn't work, I bought a couple of 'mantles' (live-edged hunks of pine, 4' long, 2 plus inches thick, and at least 12" wide). They were rough cut; I planed em with a 'pretty sharp' Stanley #4 I bought at a flea market, just to get the worst of the 'rough cut' off of them. I left the bark on, and put down a couple of coats of varnish of one sort or another - I can't remember for certain, probably Man-o-War.
They didn't split. They didn't warp. I'm guessing that about 5 years later, when my parents were looking for some big hunks of pine to redo a piece of their counter, I gave these things to them. Their carpenter ran them through his thickness planer and they came out looking like a million bucks.
I've used shellac but, frankly, I'm not convinced. I've had good luck mixing Raw linseed oil with turps, about 75/25, and apply it hot (use a double boiler). YMMV.
It can be hard to find AnchoSeal locally. If that's the case where you live, you can get the paraffin wax at an Ace Hardware or anywhere they sell canning supplies. Melt it in a double-boiler and paint it on the ends with a cheap brush.
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