Cutting and Storing Wood

[JakeAB]

I often buy wood for my pens in the form of boards or larger turning blocks. If I won't be using the wood for a good while, is it better to store it as is, or cut it into pen blanks first and store it like that? Or does it matter?

 

[shull]

As long as the wood is already dried then I would store it as a board not a blank. That way you can cut only what you need for a particular style of pen or even try segmenting bowls etc.

 

[JakeAB]

As long as the wood is already dried then I would store it as a board not a blank. That way you can cut only what you need for a particular style of pen or even try segmenting bowls etc.

How about for wood that isn't dried yet?

 

[Wildman]

If you are, buying blocks completely sealed in wax, cut into blanks and let dry. Okay to leave ends sealed in wax, or reseal ends.

If you plan to make other stuff, scrap wax from sides of blocks and leave ends sealed.

Wood reaches EMC through evaporation, completely sealing in wax stops that process. Yes, unsealed wood will also gain moisture as relative humidity increases. Sealing the ends will allow moisture evaporation from sides of blanks.