Now the long wait....

[Pitoon]

Here's a really nice Alligator Wood bowl blank i turned earlier today. I got it done to about an inch thick. Now the bad part.....waiting for it to dry to finish it.

Pitoon

 

[D.Oliver]

You have some great contrast in that bowl. Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[holmqer]

Tremendous potential with that shot of the end grain, I'm looking forward to the final piece. I've never heard of alligator wood.

 

[Pitoon]

Tremendous potential with that shot of the end grain, I'm looking forward to the final piece. I've never heard of alligator wood.

Another common name for this wood/tree is "American sweetgum"

It has some killer grain that's for sure!

Pitoon

 

[edstreet]

doing a DNA soak on it so you can turn it next week?

 

[Indiana_Parrothead]

The long wait and the praying that it doesn't crack when drying.... I hate it when that happens.

Mike

 

[The Penguin]

Tremendous potential with that shot of the end grain, I'm looking forward to the final piece. I've never heard of alligator wood.

Another common name for this wood/tree is "American sweetgum"

It has some killer grain that's for sure!

Pitoon

you have sweetgum in Italy? Or did you import the blank?

 

[Pitoon]

The long wait and the praying that it doesn't crack when drying.... I hate it when that happens.

Mike

There's already a small crack at the eye of the heartwood on one side.... so most likely the bowl will loose some height.

It's now in two brown paper bags doing it's thing......hopefully slowly!

Pitoon

 

[Pitoon]

doing a DNA soak on it so you can turn it next week?

Naw, going to let nature takes it's course. We'll see what it looks like in a couple months.

Pitoon

 

[Pitoon]

Tremendous potential with that shot of the end grain, I'm looking forward to the final piece. I've never heard of alligator wood.

Another common name for this wood/tree is "American sweetgum"

It has some killer grain that's for sure!

Pitoon

you have sweetgum in Italy? Or did you import the blank?

Have not seen European sweetgum here in Italy as of yet. I ordered this blank off ebay from a guy in Georgia.

Pitoon

 

[awood6971]

I've been working with wood for years. If your blank hasn't been kiln dried first and you're going to let it dry naturally before you turn it, then melt some paraffin and apply to the end grain of your blank. Moisture naturally escapes from the end grain faster, causing the wood to warp and split. Sealing the end grain first allows the wood to dry much slower resulting in a straighter and more stable blank. If you don't already have a moisture meter then you should pick one up. 6 to 8 % should be dry enough for you to turn without any negative effects after it has been turned.