When CA is not enough

[woodfarmer]

Think I would need concrete for this. Wanted to see how a piece of cherry would turn. Well it turns lovely but all three spindle turned items split to hell. One of then was from a small branch that looked sound and had been drying inside in the firewood shed for more than two years. So I have decided to plank it all when I get my bandsaw and try my hand at making segmented bowls with it.

 

[CHJ]

That's Cherry for you, likewise I have just planked several logs of it that have been in storage for 4+ yrs. with a view to salvaging more of it as laminations of one sort or another once it's calmed down.

Turned down to an even 4-5mm max. thickness usually gets away with it but you must make sure the base does not present a slower drying potential and shrinks at the same rate.

 

[Grahamshed]

yep, inexperienced as I am I think you could definitely call that a split.

 

[KimG]

Dry wood can still split due to tensions released when you change the shape by cutting or turning, it's a frequent nuisance with boarded timber too, a straight plank can sometimes develop a twist if/when it is split down the middle.

For this reason, when I am turning boxes with grain matched lids I always stop short of fitting the lid and bring the partly made box indoors for a few days, this allows any remaining moisture to evaporate and for the tensions in the wood to settle, then when I make the cuts for fitting it stays fitted and doesn't warp out of shape, with these lids a few thou out is enough to spoil the fit.

 

[Paul Hannaby]

The best way to stop it splitting is to turn it thin enough to allow the wood to move. With end grain turnings like that, it will then just contract around the growth rings.