How to properly dry some small blanks?

ddadams

ddadams

Absolutely love this cue.
Silver Member
Hey, recently bought a few blanks of some pretty special stuff. Only problem is that it's pretty green.

The guy I bought it from told me that it would help to leave the pieces sitting on top of the AC vents in my floors at the house.

He did cover them in as2 before shipping them out and said to just leave them in a stable area for a few years.

Anything else I should be weary of at all? I'm probably not going to be able to find any more of this stuff so I just want to be sure I don't mess it up.
 
KJ Cues said:
This should get you started.
Let's just be glad that Google didn't take the holiday off.

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/drying-wood-at-home/

http://www.wikihow.com/Dry-Wood-for-Woodworking

http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G5550
Click to expand...

I'm pretty well aware of google and how to actually use the search feature.

I'm also pretty sure that different applications of raw materials require different methods of preparation.

So I wasn't sure if pen turners need the same moisture content or are as worried about the same things that cuemakers are.

You know, like checking. That they hate. That doesn't matter as much for cuemakers as long as it isn't excessive.

Thanks. Really appreciated.
 
I know there is a place that you can send your blanks and they can dry and stabilize them for a fee. I joined a forum called International Pen Turners Association and there are actually a few people on there that do this.
 
There are no such thing as green blanks.
You mean green wood pieces ?
They're not kiln dried ?

What kind of woods?
One size doesn't fit all.
 
GENERALLY speaking, seal the end grain and store in a dry place for a "while" and then use a wood kiln. Other techniques have been developed for the oddballs that don't like to dry in kilns. Various chemicals have been developed to reduce wood loss while drying. I have used Pentacryl and saved some crazy spalted crotch cut oak.
 
Wrap them generously in newspaper and store in AC enviroment , make sure the end grains are sealed ( bees wax or sealer ) prevents checking . Check with moisture meter after 6 months or so . Don't be in any hurry if it's fresh from the mill ...:wink:
 
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