mwildes
Member
I wrote a few weeks ago about an African Blackwood Majestic that came back with several splits in the cap. Yesterday, I got back a Cocobolo Designer with cracks in it. The Designer was made in late August and the customer said that the cracks appeared within the last few days. The Majestic also took several months before cracking.
Has anyone else had cracking problems after this length of time? I am assuming (not a good idea) that if the wood were not dry enough, that it would crack much sooner, since when turned, it is only a few sixteenths of an inch thick.
One thing that I will begin doing is checking all pen blanks with a moisture meter: on the exterior, as well as on the interior once they are drilled. What are opinions on proper moisture level? Is 10% - 12% dry enough? Or should a pen maker invest in a food dehydrator and get it lower?
Thanks in advance for any help and input.
Has anyone else had cracking problems after this length of time? I am assuming (not a good idea) that if the wood were not dry enough, that it would crack much sooner, since when turned, it is only a few sixteenths of an inch thick.
One thing that I will begin doing is checking all pen blanks with a moisture meter: on the exterior, as well as on the interior once they are drilled. What are opinions on proper moisture level? Is 10% - 12% dry enough? Or should a pen maker invest in a food dehydrator and get it lower?
Thanks in advance for any help and input.