THO Game Calls Forums

The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Stabilizing Your Own Blanks => Topic started by: Tim @ Foster's Woodturnings on August 01, 2013, 02:51:10 PM

Title: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
Post by: Tim @ Foster's Woodturnings on August 01, 2013, 02:51:10 PM

I'm wondering if the wood has to be kiln dried before stabilizing it. Or can I use wood from my yard.
Thanks
Tim

Title: Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
Post by: Brian at DDT Game Calls on August 01, 2013, 04:26:34 PM

I would say yes

Title: Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
Post by: dogcatcher on August 01, 2013, 04:55:26 PM

Yes, wood has to be dry before stabilizing. 

Marvin

Title: Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
Post by: Wane on August 01, 2013, 06:50:04 PM

The dryer the better, it seems to work better.

Title: Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
Post by: kfandb on August 02, 2013, 07:01:17 AM

Tim: No more than 10% moisture content for best results.

Title: Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
Post by: Chris at Owens Custom Calls on August 28, 2013, 11:32:30 AM

Wood needs to be dry, but some stabilizing companies (Mel) will dry the wood for you before they stabilize. 

Title: Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
Post by: Tom Hamilton on August 28, 2013, 02:08:10 PM

The wood needs to be dried, but you can do that yourself.

I follow Misquite Man's suggestion of using my toaster oven to dry the wood before stabilizing.  It's worked very well for me.  I use the same toaster oven for the baking part of the stabilizing process.

I put the "wet" wood in the toaster oven at 200F, at 1.5 hours.  It usually takes 2 or 3 rounds to get the wood down to or under 10% MC, then you're good to go.

It's a simple process and works well.

Happy turning
Tom

Title: Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
Post by: Frank Fusco on August 28, 2013, 07:39:57 PM

Agree with others, dry is way to go.