Author Topic: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?  (Read 5150 times)

Offline Tim @ Foster's Woodturnings

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Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
« 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
Tim Foster
Foster's Woodturnings

Offline Brian at DDT Game Calls

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Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2013, 04:26:34 PM »
I would say yes

Offline dogcatcher

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Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2013, 04:55:26 PM »
Yes, wood has to be dry before stabilizing. 

Marvin
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Offline Wane

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Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2013, 06:50:04 PM »
The dryer the better, it seems to work better.
Wane

Offline kfandb

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Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2013, 07:01:17 AM »
Tim: No more than 10% moisture content for best results.
Steve Kincaid



Offline Chris at Owens Custom Calls

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Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
« Reply #5 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. 

Offline Tom Hamilton

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Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
« Reply #6 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
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Offline Frank Fusco

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Re: Does the wood need to be dry before stabilizing it?
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2013, 07:39:57 PM »
Agree with others, dry is way to go.