How to preserve my oak ring?

[arbmark]

Vertigo,

I would guess its a losing battle as this ring is so thin - I would take a few of the thickest rings you have and put them somewhere really dry and warm in full sun - this makes rapidly makes loads and loads of tiny cracks before the tension rips a big one or two - I call it the lily pad look. Once this had happened, move it somewhere cool and windless for a year to dry out slowly.

Then cut the ends off, hopefully removing the small (and shallow) splits. Sand quickly down to 180 I would say and then wax well. It can be done but I reckon you would need several rings to increase your odds.

If in the end the piece still has shakes/splits in it then fill them with liberon filling wax - comes as a phat sort of stick

[Big Beech]

Hello Simon,

 

That's some great advice I think

I'm going to pin the bark and some ply to the base to hold shape drill the hole in the middle.

Then I'm going to wet sand to a very very fine grit then let it dry and varnish or gloss it.

What do you think?

 

gloss would be better, as it will still allow the timber to breathe. varnish may be to much of a seal.

but its still going to take a good 6 months until you can set about finishing the item.

good luck, and don't rush it

[Vertigo Arb Ltd]

Vertigo,

I would guess its a losing battle as this ring is so thin - I would take a few of the thickest rings you have and put them somewhere really dry and warm in full sun - this makes rapidly makes loads and loads of tiny cracks before the tension rips a big one or two - I call it the lily pad look. Once this had happened, move it somewhere cool and windless for a year to dry out slowly.

Then cut the ends off, hopefully removing the small (and shallow) splits. Sand quickly down to 180 I would say and then wax well. It can be done but I reckon you would need several rings to increase your odds.

If in the end the piece still has shakes/splits in it then fill them with liberon filling wax - comes as a phat sort of stick

 

Thanks for your help dude

[Vertigo Arb Ltd]

gloss would be better, as it will still allow the timber to breathe. varnish may be to much of a seal.

but its still going to take a good 6 months until you can set about finishing the item.

good luck, and don't rush it

 

Lovely advice mate, I think I will clear gloss it, perhaps make a table. I'm engraving it first! I've found a real love for wood craft that I didn't know I had!

[Chippy]

You could try to season one of your other pieces in water.

Not sure how it works but from memory I think if its left in a stream fully immersed the water eventually seasons it.

It does sound silly but it does work.

[Vertigo Arb Ltd]

You could try to season one of your other pieces in water.

Not sure how it works but from memory I think if its left in a stream fully immersed the water eventually seasons it.

It does sound silly but it does work.

 

I'll give it a go mate I have a running river in my back garden!

[Vertigo Arb Ltd]

Although it will probably float away overnight