Shopsmith Forums

Yep, boiling does work. I've been doing it for years using a turkey fryer. Use water, not oil. You still do need to rough turn your project. Boiling is a lot faster than waiting it out with a paper bag. I learned this drying process from woodturner Stephen Russell.

Let me see if I've got this straight. I would rough turn the bowl wet as normal, take it off of the lathe and boil it.

Now what? How long do I wait for it to dry before putting it back on the lathe to complete?

A little off topic, but is there an easy wood to start with that you don't have to worry too much about cracking and warping. I'm the very impatient type and can't stand to hold a nice piece of wood without trying to make something out of it.

zukidriver,

We've probably put you off some talking about all the exceptions and what can go wrong.

If you use "seasoned" wood, i.e. a block that has been dryed or at least from a tree felled and harested a year or so you really shouldn't have a problem provided you either:

1. Complete the project in one day or
2. Rough turn the bowl to shape and then take it from rough to finished in one day.

You may still get some minor warp, but who cares if the project is finished.

Someone on this forum pointed out that SS was selling a box of bowl blanks for about $35. I ordered them and got 12 blanks of various sizes and woods. Because they are "dry", I've had absolutely no problems with cracks or warps from them.

My troubles come from using "wet" wood or troublesome species like the sweet gum mentioned above.

I've haven't tryed segmented bowls yet, but I would expect them to wrap or split either. Anyone have any experience?

I've done a few simple segmented bowls - http://www.manvell.org for some pics - they didn't warp at all that I can tell.

Andy - Beautiful turnings and beautiful web page!! CONGRATULATIONS!