help!!

[robbo 110]

hi all, has anyone got any tips for drying out wood before/after carving to reduce splitting? ive been using some big old oak,too practise on, thats been down for about 5 years, finding that its splitting alot once left finshed, as ever, all advice is greatly appreciated, too anyone thinking of trying some carving; have a go, its great fun. be very careful of kickback zone, you only need some imagination, i cant draw anything whatsoever but the carvings are getting better. cheers all

[ronnyrocket]

Well, what makes wood, wood is the cellular structure it is composed of. Those cells contain moisture that must be slowly evaporated by a Kiln thereby, causing the wood to shrink inevitably splitting as more and more space is created between the individual cells. Ideally, about 5-7% moisture content is preferred by the woodworkers I talk to. Premium Kiln dried Oaks, Mahoganys, Etc. Will split on the ends. However, when you go to the lumber supplier, those spits are often cut off. What you buy is, a dressed up length of lumber. That's why finish cabinet makers will often rely upon cross laminated substrates and then expertly cover them with Veneers. Now please, if I'm going to make a table out of a SOLID piece of Oak, I'll cut it off the log on a 45 degree diagonal cut thereby, changing the direction of the grain and minimizing splits. Now having said all that, I expect splits, I simply work with it and tell others it's part of the natural characteristic of the wood to incurr some splitting. If you don't want it period! Then you're simply talking to the wrong bloke.

[jrose]

not as detailed an answer as the one above, and I could be completley wrong!

 

but I tend to stand the carving on bricks or similar for a few weeks after finishing, to allow the moisture to drain out, keep it in the shade not direct sun if in the summer, and treat with danish oil 6ish coats. this seems to help stop splitting!

 

cheers,

Joe

[ronnyrocket]

Spot on! replacing the moisture (water) with oils prevents the cells from shrinking. I use boiled linseed oil to replenish the wood.