Stabilizing

colu41

colu41

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
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Not sure what the smiley face is all about?? :confused:

So I found a nice big block of Walnut Burl at a great price. Measures about 2x9x9. Since I will be sending this out for stabilizing, should I send it out whole, to make it easier for me and possibly prevent the possibility of warping or cracking. Or should I cut it into the size blocks I want, then send them out? I'm a little worried about cutting as one end of the block has a nice big crack in it already. I'd rather not spend the money on a block of wood and ruin it trying to cut it. Any suggestions?
 
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Here is the pic they show of it... a nice chunk for $40. I can easily get 5 blocks out of it.

DSCN1149__22223.1432850726.1280.1280.JPG
 
My guess is that it is just partially dry since they are selling it as a turning piece.
I would suggest looking at it closely and cut blocks at least 10% oversized.
Cut off the cracked portions so they don't spread.
By cutting into blocks the wood can finish drying more evenly. You have to let walnut dry slowly or you get what is called cell collapse.
That is where the outside looks good but the inside tears itself apart.
Looking at the backside there is a large bark pocket you will want to cut away.
Regardless $40 is a good price even if you only get a few blocks from this piece. You should probably go ahead and purchase it since it looks like that is the only one they have at that price.
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Looks like it is covered in beeswax. I just cut into a piece like that that I found in a garage 30 years ago. Psychedelic gasoline fire type stuff. Hope it turns out well for you.
 
Thanks guys. I'll keep searching. I did find a similar block from a different seller that claims it is 4 to 6% MC. I'm not one to buy something just to let it sit for a year before I can use it. :p
 
Isn't it amazing the knowledge Mark has? You show him a photo of a block of wood, he knows where to find the vendor, shows back side of same block and dispenses GOOD advice on how to work the wood. Great work Mark!

Ken H>
 
Ken H> said:
Isn't it amazing the knowledge Mark has? You show him a photo of a block of wood, he knows where to find the vendor, shows back side of same block and dispenses GOOD advice on how to work the wood. Great work Mark!

Ken H>
Click to expand...

Right click on the photo then click properties and the web address shows up. Works almost everytime on web sales photos.
 
Thanks Larry - don't know why I didn't think of that. I've used that trick to pull photos from pages that had right click disabled. NOT to violate copyright, but sometimes to get a better look at the item. With Chrome (and Opera) it's "Inspect element" rather than "properties".

Ken H>
 
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