sealing wet wood

[marekz]

ive been using parrafin wax to cover the open raw parts of freshly cut burls. someone suggested using anchorseal because it allows it to breath better. is the parrafin im using ok or should i use something else-thansks- marekz

 

[mete]

Breath ? You want to seal it to prevent quick drying so parafin is OK.

 

[Mike Turner]

Paraffin and Anchorseal are both fine to use, one of my wood suppliers uses paraffin strictly. And Paraffin is a lot cheaper but you do have to be able to heat it.

 

[Tom Lewis]

If paraffin is working, then you don't need the anchor seal. If the wood cracks with the paraffin, then maybe you do need the anchor seal.
Anchor seal is specially formulated to keep wood from cracking, and is more expensive.
I use an old electric fry pan to melt the wax. If you go to garage sales and buy candles you can get the wax for almost nothing.

 

[marekz]

i just melt the wax in a old pot and brush it on . i brush it on all exposed wood except for the bark--so thats is ok?--thanks marekz--as i started another thread --i was wondering if i should use the anchor seal on the bark or let it be. getting the bark covered with wax using a brush isnt very efficient.

 

[cdent]

If it's a true burl, you might get uneven drying by leaving the bark on in spots and not coating those spots. On a regular block that's has end grain on the ends, I just seal the ends a quarter to half inch with wax. I keep it ready to go in a covered pie tin and just soften the wax with a plumbers torch. Then, I just quickly dip the ends. Plan on loosing wood, and don't be disappointed when you do.

Good luck, Craig