Promoting Spalting.

[Bob Wemm]

Hi People,
Because I am new to this forum, and also to woodturning, I am unsure if this subject has been talked about at length.
I have read in magazine where people have asked about how to promote spalting in timber. There has been lots of ideas expressed about achieving the desired result, but I have not seen the method that I use discussed anywhere, not that it hasn't. So, if you already know about this then please tell me to do something??.
When I rough turn my green blank I leave the walls about 3/4 - 1 inch thick and then collect all the green shavings and pack that, together with the rough turned piece, into a cardboard box and seal it up. Our climate is fairly dry so it takes about 6 - 9 months to dry out. Because the timber is not exposed directly to the atmosphere the drying process is considerably slower, and the moisture maintained around the piece is sufficient to create to spalting effect. I have even achieved spalting in timbers that normally would not spalt.
FYI.
Regards Bob.

 

[edicehouse]

Seems to me I read something about sealing it a jar with beer, or something along those lines.

 

[Longfellow]

I make a mix of beer and Miracle-Gro, And put about 1 inch of it in a Plastic bucket , put in the wood, put the lid on, and let stand. I check periodicly until I think it has spalted . Also putting the wood in plastic bags will promote spalting, but will also promote mold growth.

 

[Bob Wemm]

Seeme like a waste of good beer to me, approx how long does that process take and is the wood dry when it comes out????
Bob.

 

[Longfellow]

Seeme like a waste of good beer to me, approx how long does that process take and is the wood dry when it comes out????
Bob.

Some things require sacrifices. Time depends on wood. The wood is wet but dries quickly

 

[Glenn McCullough]

American woodturner articles on spalting:

spalting process, 3.4:27 (ex. first line Vol. 3, issue 4, page 27)
accelerating, external conditions for, 25.6:59
spalting mix for, 19.2:61
time frame for, 25.6:59

 

[edicehouse]

Seeme like a waste of good beer to me, approx how long does that process take and is the wood dry when it comes out????
Bob.

Some things require sacrifices. Time depends on wood. The wood is wet but dries quickly

We all have those family members that bring over the beer they drink. You know the beer you taste and it just twists your tounge. Use that.

 

[Bob Wemm]

Seems like there are lots of methods to achieve the end result. I didn't think for a moment that I was the first to use the wet shavings, but would be interested to know if anyone else has tried it.
Bob.

 

[Lenny]

Seems like there are lots of methods to achieve the end result. I didn't think for a moment that I was the first to use the wet shavings, but would be interested to know if anyone else has tried it.
Bob.

That's what a bowl turner friend of mine does, Bob.

 

[McBryde]

I let my A.D.D. kick in and leave chunks of wood in my yard for months on end. It sits out in the mud and the rain until one day, when I feel the urge to cut wood, I realize "Hey, the wood is growing mushrooms (or some other weird stuff) on it." And when I cut into it the wood...Viola, spalting.
Haha!