spalting timber

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JFC

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I was thinking of making some grab rails for my friends boat out of the spalted logs i have found in the woods near me but im a little concerned as introducing a timber that has started to rot into an invironment that struggles with moisture and temperatures , a boat is an ideal place for rot to start . From what i've read on the forum i understand that spalting stops as soon as the timber is exposed/cut but the spores are still active whilst cutting is in progress . My worry is that any sanding and finishing after i have made the grab rails which are going inside the boat may allow spores to be released into the boat and start more rot.
Or am i just over cautious as i've seen what rot can do ?
 
The rot is stopped when the moisture content drops, so if the wood is subjected to high moisture levels it will start again. That is why dust from spalted timber is dangerous, it can start to grow again in your warm moist lungs.

Another point is that the spalting can affect the strength of the timber so maybe not the best option for grab rails.

Jason
 
Thats what i thought about the moisture thing . As to the strength they are more to help down a three step jacobs ladder than something to grab if your going to fall in the river .
If they are varnished before fitting would that seal all spores or would the rot continue to thrive ?
My experience of rot is of carcassing timbers and unfinished backs of skirting boards etc so working it rather than burning it is foreign to me .
 
If well varnished there should be no problem, the M.C. has to be quite high before the spores become active again, should only get that wet if the boat is sinking :lol:

Jason
 
If its sinking the last worry is spalting ! Thanks for the advice :D
 
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