[Woodcarver] wood questions CHAT

[Dick Allen]

If the board has soft or punky spots through the board, probably means 
that the basswood was allowed to stay in the log form during warm or hot 
weather.  The other possibility that the wood was not stickered and 
dried adequately when first milled.  Basswood is very touchy and can be 
ruined easily if not milled and dried properly.  Usually the best 
basswood is cut during the late fall or winter and milled in the early 
spring while the temps are cool.  The milled wood needs to be stickered 
and exposed to sufficient air movement to remove the moisture.
If you see lighter or white colored pockets in the wood, you will 
probably find they are softer and punky.  This will also mean that the 
pockets are probably thru the entire piece of wood and will often be 
difficult to carve for any detail, even with sharp tools.
Best would be to use as a practice and learning board.
Dick Allen

Merrilee Johnson wrote:

>

>  

> Hi Phil,

>    There aren't really any bad areas - the whole thing is punky.  When 

> I get up against the design that's where its the hardest to get the 

> cut clean it just sort of does funny stuff.  Maybe I'll try the glue 

> and then sharpen my tools really good!

> Merrilee

>  

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:15:15 -0400

> From: clocker2zero at verizon.net

> To: woodcarver at carverscompanion.com

> Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] wood questions CHAT

>

> How about plugging the bad areas. Match grain and direction glue it in 

> and away you go. Wood turners use instant glue to solidify punky wood 

> also.

> Phil

>

>



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