Shopsmith Forums

Need to keep logs from checking at the ends; wood to be used for turning any recommendations ( like wax,or paint) ?

Thank You

Either one of those will do. This is a good way to get rid of some of that leftover house paint taking up valuable space in your shop.

[quote="poidog"]Need to keep logs from checking at the ends]

Hi Poidog! Welcome to the Forum - To answer your question - wax and paint will both help prevent severe end checking. However since you have logs, you can also expect side checking like you find in firewood. I also recommend having those logs sawn into boards as soon as you can to prevent side checking,

Many lumber mills coat the ends of their boards, but still, some end checking occurs. The purpose of the coating is to slow down the accelerated drying/shrinkage that occurs at the ends of those boards/logs. No matter what coating, some checking will occur. Coating will slow the drying at the ends and help keep checking to a lessor amount..

I would use wax!

What part of the World do you call home?

Cutting the logs sooner is great advice. If you must keep them in log form here's what I have done and recommended for my customers when I ran a Woodmizer sawmill for fun on the week ends.
Wax is good, but hard to apply, paint works, primer being the best,,then oil based then water based last. Put many many coats on.
THE ABSOLUTE BEST thing there is for what your doing is here:
The Anchorseal water based parifin sealer,,,
https://www.uccoatings.com/ you can use this stuff for many other things like coating whole pieces of turning stock for presevation. Just drop them in and soak them or paint them up. BTW if the temp stays below 60oF your logs will last longer. Over 60 and the staining and rotting start. If you have the ablility to keep them wet, soak with water, or better yet float them in the pond.....good luck and be safe,,,,,Mike
https://www.uccoatings.com/
Edit: I think "Baileys" sells 1 gallon cans if you don't want or need 5 gallons,,,,,

Poidog,

You have been given good advice. Since you did not indicate what you were planning on doing with the logs ie., building something, turning bowls, etc., I will add another thought.

As indicated by Chuck, you will not be able to eliminate all the checking in most cases. If you are going to turn projects such as bowls, etc., there is an old rule of thumb..........cut the logs at least six inches longer than the diameter of the log.

This will give you some room to allow the drying process to take place since most of the checking will take place at the ends. You now have several inches to cut off if necessary, thus ending up with more of a solid piece of wood.

Good luck!
FlashbacPT
John

I thank you all for the assist. Plan on turning the wood into box's and bowles. I presently reiside in Hayward Ca., but hope to return to my wife's homeland in Maui when she desides to retire.

Chet
USCG (ret)