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Steve nix

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Drying large bowls
Jul 15^th, 2017 at 6:08pm

I just finish ruffing out five 15-18" elm and sycamore bowls. I've had good success packing in boxes with shaving , but I don't have any large boxes. I've also coated with anchor seal but have had some black walnut crack. Question is, coat the intire bowl or just the botton side of bowl with anchor seal. At present their on my shop floor covered with shavings. Suggestions

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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,939 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Drying large bowls Reply #1 - Jul 15^th, 2017 at 7:18pm If you've roughed it out, coat the entire bowl inside and out.
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John Cepko

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Re: Drying large bowls
Reply #2 - Jul 16^th, 2017 at 9:02am

I have noticed that when drying rough turned bowls the sap wood is most likely to crack...but it contrasts with the heart wood. To combat this, I leave the sap wood as the rim, or just turn it away all together.
It helps to cut the wood in the winter, so the sap wood has less water, and dries more in line with the heart wood.
But, yes, seal the whole bowl after roughing.

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Tom Coghill

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Re: Drying large bowls
Reply #3 - Jul 17^th, 2017 at 10:13am

End grain looses moisture faster than any other areas, causing stresses that lead to cracks.

I wrap my larger bowls in large sheets of brown packing paper (that arrives in packages sent to me in the mail). I ensure that I pack shavings on the end grain sections and inside the bowl (but much less inside than the outside end grain). I make the paper wrap 3 layers thick.

I have tried to avoid using anchor seal because of the hassle of removal later, however a cracked bowl is lost time, so if in doubt, use it.

I found this paper technique works well with the paper birch that I usually get here.

Hope this info may help you. Thumbs Up

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robo_hippy

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Re: Drying large bowls
Reply #4 - Jul 18^th, 2017 at 10:24am

The sycamore can move way beyond the 10% rule, so keep an eye on it. You can compress the rim from end grain to end grain to help stop or at least slow it down, which can involve clamps or a round plywood form. Other than that, slow it down. Too fast and it cracks. Too slow and it molds/rots.

A method I saw that Christian Burshard uses on his madrone, is to put the piece in a paper bag first, than put that in a plastic bag. Change out the paper daily. Bags can be reused. If I wanted to put a piece in shavings, I would use dry shavings, not wet ones. I have had some pieces pick up ugly colors after a day or so in wet shavings.

robo hippy

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Ed Weber

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Re: Drying large bowls
Reply #5 - Jul 18^th, 2017 at 10:40am

robo_hippy wrote on Jul 18^th, 2017 at 10:24am:

A method I saw that Christian Burshard uses on his madrone, is to put the piece in a paper bag first, than put that in a plastic bag.

This is the method I have used with good results.
(I had no idea who Christian Burshard was, had to look him up)
It allows the wood to release "some" moisture but only a measured amount until you change it's diaper (AKA, paper bag)
IME (in my experience) The first few days worth of paper bags are not reusable, just a soggy paper mess. Once you get the initial "wet" out of it, (not dripping) then it's not too bad.
Maybe I should try a diaper in a plastic bag Undecided

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Ralph Fahringer

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Re: Drying large bowls
Reply #6 - Jul 18^th, 2017 at 12:08pm

Actually, diapers might not be such a bad idea.

The material in them is the same stuff you put into plant soils to retain moisture so they would absorb alot of water before being useless. Would be interesting to see how it works on a scrap piece of green wood.

They could be reused by setting them out in the sun and letting them evaporate.

Who on here is either young enough to have babies or old enough to need depends???? Shocked

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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,939 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Drying large bowls Reply #7 - Jul 18^th, 2017 at 2:54pm Ralph Fahringer wrote on Jul 18^th, 2017 at 12:08pm: Actually, diapers might not be such a bad idea. The light bulb came on as I was writing it
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Ralph Fahringer WR Addict Offline I'm the "Burly" Man!! Posts: 1,629 Ellsworth Maine USA Gender: PM3520b	Re: Drying large bowls Reply #8 - Jul 18^th, 2017 at 4:30pm If you wrapped a bowl in a diaper, would it pull too much water out too quickly? Ok... i HAVE to do this: Would it be a "bowl movement" in the diaper? Sorry.
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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,939 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Drying large bowls Reply #9 - Jul 18^th, 2017 at 5:32pm I suppose the 'cheap' diapers would draw out less moisture but I was thinking the same thing. They would, as they're supposed to, contain the wet mess associated with using a paper bag. Maybe someone has tried it. Currently I don't dry too many large blanks so I'm in no position to experiment.
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Steve nix

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Re: Drying large bowls
Reply #10 - Jul 18^th, 2017 at 7:01pm

Good one Ralph. I'll have to use depends on these, too large for diapers.
I've gots several turned coated with anchor seal and stored an area with no air flow and others packed in shaving that I let dry 24hr on the shop floor before packing the bowls in them in cardboard boxes. I've had pretty good luck using shaving and cardboard boxes as long as the shaving aren't too wet them the stain lets in. Thank for the comments. " bowl movement" I love it.

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Len Layman WR Addict Offline What have I got into?? Posts: 3,118 Grand Cayman Cayman Islands Gender: PM 3520b Jet 1220	Re: Drying large bowls Reply #11 - Jul 22^nd, 2017 at 9:19pm Ralph Fahringer wrote on Jul 18^th, 2017 at 4:30pm: Would it be a "bowl movement" in the diaper? Shocked Shocked
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Joe Belcher WR Noob Offline Posts: 13 Highland California USA	Re: Drying large bowls Reply #12 - Jul 24^th, 2017 at 11:09am Ralph Fahringer wrote on Jul 18^th, 2017 at 4:30pm: Would it be a "bowl movement" in the diaper? No, because you're dealing with water only
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Bob_Macgregor Senior Member Offline Round wood. Sharp steel. Posts: 458 Gender:	Re: Drying large bowls Reply #13 - Jul 24^th, 2017 at 12:40pm Absorbitive capacity of diaper chemicals... Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or
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Al Wasser WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 626 Pueblo West, CO Colorado USA Gender: Robust American Beauty	Re: Drying large bowls Reply #14 - Jul 24^th, 2017 at 1:10pm No bags, no boxes, use multiple layers of newspaper
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