drying green bowls
green wood straight from the lathe and ways of better managing the drying process, here's some simple techniques to try.
turned twice is a method used to overcome warps,shrinkage and cracks. as the name imply's its turned on the lathe twice. the first turn is to take the meat off and get the rough shape you want leaving around 10% of the overall diameter so there is room for the final turn to correct the movement from the drying time after the first turn. hopefully the drying process after the first turn will take all the warping and movement and left for some time to dry or equalize the movement is then minimal after the second turn. its best to seal the end grain between the turns to further eliminate unwanted cracks by slowing the rate the moisture leaves the wood.
paper bag its a simple method used to slow the process of the moisture leaving the wood. gradually releasing the moisture through the walls of the paper bag helps to keep the wood uniform but takes some amount of time.
just add some green shavings to the bottom of the bag and around the wood to create a more controlled environment. remember to keep a check on its progress and its always good to purchase a moisture meter for this.
microwave drying your green bowl or blank can speed the drying process up but take care not to leave it in the microwave for to long, 30 seconds on full power is enough then taken out and left to air for half an hour, checking the moisture content ever time you repeat the process. this will take a while but when the wood has dried you can carry on turning it.
silica gel beads or desiccant is simple and fast, place the bowl or blank into an air tight container or air tight plastic bag along with thousands of these beads and they will absorb the moisture from the wood. remember air tight as the beads will absorb moisture from the atmosphere if the wood is not in a sealed container.
simple, easy and fast.
oven drying is a quick way but be careful you only need to set the oven to a temperature of 100 c with the wood placed in the center of the oven to allow equal drying. allow it to bake for one hour and test the moisture content. the wood can be placed back in the oven in 15 minute increments if it requires additional drying.
this is one of the fastest methods but also one that can make or break the wood if care is not taken, wood can warp and crack. a wood stabilizing solution or sealer can be applied after it has cooled to room temperature room to help protect against this.