T.Saslow
Periodic Thinker
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2013
- Messages
- 479
I recently approached Stacy with this topic and he had some great tips but I also wanted to hear from a few other people to figure out the best way to prepare green wood for use. In this situation, I have a piece of Snakewood about 12" long, 3/8" thick, and an uneven width, that has been waxed and (I would assume) wet. Also in my "collection" is a piece of Jarrah Burl about 1.5" square and 6" long (also waxed and wet), and a piece of lignum vitae that is 3/8" thick, 3" across, and 5" long. How would you treat each piece individually based on their dimensions and species?
Stacy (If you don't mind me posting our conversation here) recommended the Following -
*Feel Free to remove it if you want*
"I remove the wax as much as possible and let the wood sit for three to six months. The wax was put there to prevent splitting and slow drying, which was probably because the wood was cut green. It may be aged enough by now, but give it a while wax-free to move. I use a cabinet scraper, which is just a thin piece of metal with a straight edge. Scrape off the sides until it starts scraping up wood shavings. Scrape the ends, and then sand all sides with 50 or 80 grit.
Sadly, some heavily waxed wood is just very green or very cracked wood that they wax to cover up the problem. If you have someone with a moisture meter around, have them check the internal moisture content. You want it below 12% ( preferably below 10%) before you use it for handles.
Snakewood is a very difficult wood to work, and should be let sit and age for a year or more before cutting into scales (after removing the wax). Then let sit another six months or more for the scales to equalize stress. Work cool, and use fresh, sharp abrasives."
So what do you guys do?
Stacy (If you don't mind me posting our conversation here) recommended the Following -
*Feel Free to remove it if you want*
"I remove the wax as much as possible and let the wood sit for three to six months. The wax was put there to prevent splitting and slow drying, which was probably because the wood was cut green. It may be aged enough by now, but give it a while wax-free to move. I use a cabinet scraper, which is just a thin piece of metal with a straight edge. Scrape off the sides until it starts scraping up wood shavings. Scrape the ends, and then sand all sides with 50 or 80 grit.
Sadly, some heavily waxed wood is just very green or very cracked wood that they wax to cover up the problem. If you have someone with a moisture meter around, have them check the internal moisture content. You want it below 12% ( preferably below 10%) before you use it for handles.
Snakewood is a very difficult wood to work, and should be let sit and age for a year or more before cutting into scales (after removing the wax). Then let sit another six months or more for the scales to equalize stress. Work cool, and use fresh, sharp abrasives."
So what do you guys do?
