Replies

1. 
   gossamershavings | Apr 08, 2010 02:02am | #1

   it is common practise in trellis and pergola making to run a kerf (about a third deep) along the least seen side. it will allow the post to shrink and usually closes the kerf. not sure if this will work for astetic reasons, and because it probably has already dried so much already.it is usually done along the outside(bark side) of the post, as this is the direction the wood usually cups toward . this may not apply to your situation, but i wish you well in your solution.

2. 
   fromthe40 | Apr 08, 2010 09:10am | #2

   Cracks

   YOu may also want to try drilling a hole up the middle of the statue if it can be done without wrecking it. This allows the shrinking wood room to do so. The saw kerf on the back of the statue works sometimes but not always. I know 3 people that do chainsaw carving and they have had mixed results with this technique.

   Geoff

3. 
   birchwoodguy | Apr 08, 2010 09:26pm | #3

   statue cracking

   Another approach to use if you are not able to use the kerf or hollowing methods already noted would be to soak the statue in PEG (polyethelene glycol) solution to stabilize it.  You will find information on this method in the past issues of Fine Woodworking Magazine.  Generally the PEG replaces the water in the cell structure of the wood preventing the cells from collapsing when water is removed.  Once stabilized, the statue will not significantly expand or shrink no-matter the environmental conditions.

4. 
   JohnWW | Apr 09, 2010 11:07am | #4

   Right away put it back into a damp environment to stop the cracking.  Cracks in large pieces like the statue, once formed won't fully close again so you immediately need to prevent the cracks from enlarging.  The only reliable solutiuon would be to treat it with PEG which isn't all that difficult.