To seal or not to seal shaft cones/tapers?

Jr's Farm

Jr's Farm

Be inspired!
Silver Member
Just curious as to peoples thoughts about putting some sort of sealer on in between turnings. Currently I'm putting on a single coat of sanding sealer after each turning to seal the wood a little while it hangs out until the next turning session.

Is this overkill or maybe even a disadvantage?

Frank

(I don't use nelsonite or any other dip-type preservative)
 
The whole idea of taking many cuts on wood, is to release internal tentions & to release traped moisture. Sealing the wood does not allow that to happen. Don't do it...JER
 
many cuts

BLACKHEARTCUES said:
The whole idea of taking many cuts on wood, is to release internal tentions & to release traped moisture. Sealing the wood does not allow that to happen. Don't do it...JER
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Why are many cuemakers using dipping tanks or is that just Nelsonite and it penetrates several cuts deep? I'm not sure of the thinking there and you make sense with not sealing between cuts?? Anyone else have an opinion on this.?
 
OK...I'll disagree

IMHO, the use of a sanding sealer between cuts is a good idea. I thin my sealer 3-to-1 with denatured alcohol. I then apply it to any wood that I cut using a paper towel wet with the thinned sealer.

I agree that you want to release moisture.......but slowly. IMHO, sanding sealer (applied as described above) will not stop the release of moisture....just slow it down.

So...now you have opinions from both sides.
 
Here's a third opinion. I use Nelsonite every 2nd or third turning. It doesn't seal the shaft but actually replaces the moisture in the cells. Some say they don't like the way a shaft plays that has been treated with Nesonite but I've never really been ever able to discern a difference in play but it seems to make a big difference in the ability of my shafts to stay straight. So now we have three opinions but, alas, no proof!!! It's to late in my career to do a good test to discern the best method. Someone may have the time and money to try. I believe the best way would be to take about 100 sample dowels from each part of the areas best known for good shaft wood, Mich. upper peninsula, Pennsylvania/New England and Canada. Take one third of each batch and try the different techniques, Non-sealed, sealed or treated and see what transpires.

Up to you younger folks though.

Dick
 
I'm a believer in Nelsonite as well... it displaces moisture, basically evening it out. You want to see wood warp, and warp fast, wet one side of a board and let it dry.... If you can displace the moisture in a shaft, there's no chance of having a cut expose any part of the wood that is wetter or drier than another.
With shaft wood (maple) I've found that one dip is plenty, as it soaks in very readily. I dip shafts after my first couple of really big cuts when the shaft is .580 at the tip end. You can cut them down to 10mm and still smell the Nelsonite.
 
Nelsonite

I had the pleasure of visiting the shop of a very well respected custom cuemaker in Florida several years ago. (No, it wasn't Eddie Wheat:p) While I was there, I asked him his opinion on the use of Nelsonite. He stated that he HAD conducted his own test with a large number of shaft dowels (I think is was 100 or more) and he found NO difference is his yield between the ones dipped in Nelsonite and those that were not. He stated that he no longer uses Nelsonite.

I don't want to mention his name without his permission. Maybe he will weigh in on this discussion.
 
Bill the Cat said:
I had the pleasure of visiting the shop of a very well respected custom cuemaker in Florida several years ago. (No, it wasn't Eddie Wheat:p) While I was there, I asked him his opinion on the use of Nelsonite. He stated that he HAD conducted his own test with a large number of shaft dowels (I think is was 100 or more) and he found NO difference is his yield between the ones dipped in Nelsonite and those that were not. He stated that he no longer uses Nelsonite.

I don't want to mention his name without his permission. Maybe he will weigh in on this discussion.
Click to expand...

Even if it did, and if it did made 10% more yield, I'm not touching it.
I breathe enough crap already.
Sorry.
 
shafts

BLACKHEARTCUES said:
I agree...no nelsonite for me either...JER
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Hi Jerry, I quit using nelsonite many years back, I do use a high-solids sanding sealer, I only use it after the shaft has had it's final cut, and then apply about 3 costs over a few days, this also help keep crap out of the shaft, then I use a good wax and polish hell out of it, and send it way. Been doing this for darn near 40 years. Works great for me.
The Younger guys may have new tricks..
blud
 
I build a small amount compared to most but I don't use anything and have good results. Once it's to final size I seal it well, wax and plish it.
 
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