Green maple burl

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Deadhead

Deadhead

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Joined
Jan 17, 2013
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164
Location
Wisconsin
What's the best way for turning green maple burl or any green wood for that matter?

My son-in-law wants to try pen turning and bought green maple burl blanks on the internet.
 
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They're fresh wood. My SNL likes to dive into things and so we drilled and glued the tubes in last night on 1 blank. About how long to dry, they're about 3/4" sq.
 
If it was me I would simply order some extra tubes and let that blank sit. Put him into some nice dry wood so he will succeed. If you try to finish that wet blank he is going to have all sorts of issues from cracking to finishing problems. If I was going to try to dry some wet wood I would think of my toaster oven as a kiln and just put the wood in it and cook away on a low setting. I have also heard of others using a microwave and hit it for 1 minute and walk away then hit it again and walk away and on and on. I have not tried this because I don't have an old microwave to try it with but I have used wood that was done this way and it works.
 
Mike,

Thanks, I was thinking that also. Later on I thought maybe if we had just drilled the blanks and let them sit without tubes. We're doing cigar pens w/10 mm holes; I would think that they would dry quickly, my concern w/ that route would be the blanks warping.

One more thing. I said earlier that he likes to dive into things; well he wants a lathe for his birthday later this month. My lathe is a PSI 10", 1/2 hp VS (I wish I'd bought 12", 1 hp instead). Other than the Jet and delta midis, and 12", 1 hp, VS, any suggestions on some decent inexpensive starter lathes? All thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Ben
 
You can microwave blanks and have them ready in less than a day. Plenty to read about microwaving techniques with a quick search. I turn green wood all the time for bowls and vessels. I turn them to final dimension and let it warp, others prefer to preturn it oversize, let it dry, then return. If you rough turn, put it in a paper bag to slow drying at the beginning. If you keep a consistant wall thickness under 5/16", the green turning will dry and warp, with almost no cracking. Burls can be a little different because of unusual drying stresses. If you aren't in a hurry for the pen blanks, cut them about an 1" square, 6" long, and put them in the attic for a few weeks. Let air get all around them, and you are in business. If you try to let the entire burl dry out for other projects, it will certainly crack.
 
If you use the microwave you must allow the wood to cool between cooking periods since it keeps cooking after the microwave stops. You need to weigh the wood before you start and then weigh it after it cools. This will give you an idea of when the wood is adequately dry to make into a pen. If you drill the blanks and then let them dry they will warp and the hole will not remain 10mm, but it will also warp and then the blank will be close to unusable.
 
Thanks for responding everyone; I think the best thing to do is pt them in the attic and let them dry out for a month, they are about 3/4" sq and 5" long soit should take to long.

Healeydays, thanks for the links. I sent the Jet link (that's a pretty good deal0 to my step-daughter, she sent the seller a message that she's interested. I don't think has heard anything back yet. Will let you know the outcome.

Ben
 
Deadhead said:
One more thing. I said earlier that he likes to dive into things; well he wants a lathe for his birthday later this month. My lathe is a PSI 10", 1/2 hp VS (I wish I'd bought 12", 1 hp instead). Other than the Jet and delta midis, and 12", 1 hp, VS, any suggestions on some decent inexpensive starter lathes? All thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Ben
Click to expand...

For a great lathe that is of high quality and inexpensive. Check out the Rikon 70-050vs. That is the lathe I have and I would put it up there with the Delta or Jet lathes any day of the week. And you can normally find them for between 200$-300$ I know that WoodCraft carries the Rikons but I have only seen the 70-100 in stock lately and that one is not variable speed.
 
healeydays,

We bought the jet lathe yesterday, excellent shape, I told the wife I want to give the son in law mine and keep this one; she said no.:mad-tongue:

The guy was out of town, talked with his wife, and mentioned the IAP.
Texted him later about the site also.
We might have a new member in the near future.:laugh:

Thanks for the link.
Ben
 
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