WWA Info Exchange

Cut up one of my soft maple logs today into 5/8" boards and it has some considerable spalting, although not to the point where it's getting too soft - yet. Moisture content is still high, so I've got it stacked in the shop to dry more.

I'm hoping to use it for drawer boxes (sides and backs ), and would like to stop the spalting process. I know that kiln drying will halt it, but don't have that capability and the boards are too big for the oven, even if Gail would permit it. Is there some other treatment that will kill the fungi/bacteria that doesn't damage the wood? It's kinda purty, and I'd like to keep it that way. Since I won't be applying any finish to these, whatever I do has to avoid any problems down the road. Would a alcohol wash work?

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I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

hi gene ,

i was taught to use a seal coat of blonde or super blonde shellac to seal drawers inside and out . i would think that should properly seal the spalting and stop it from doing anything unwanted . HTH

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grizzly

what are you building today ???

The fungi need warmth and moisture. Deny them moisture and they're over. Anything suitable for indoor use like 12% or below is enough.

http://www.mtu.edu/umc/services/pr-news ... t-gestalt/

http://www.techtube.mtu.edu/watch.php?v=550

http://www.finewoodworking.com//blog/wo ... g/spalting

She's a fun young lady.

Any type of finish should keep the black in the wood and not against your clothes. I prefer shellac, because you can daub on the first couple of coats for sealing without rubbing and dragging the black into lighter areas.

You have the boards stickered so that they have air space and the stickers are at the same place through the whole stack to keep from inducing stress? If that is the case and the amount is small, you can make a box and use either a fan or a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in the wood. Having the wood dead stacked with no airflow with keep it as wet as it was in log form and allow more and different types of mold to stain the wood. Also drying too fast isn't good. You can make a small solar kiln with a discarded window, plywood box and vents. Place the stickered wood into the box so the sun shines on a dark material and heats the air, this will create a convection air current which along with the heat will pull the moisture out of the wood during the day and let the wood rest at night which reduces stress. Search solar wood kiln on the web and you will find some designs. Best of luck with the spalted maple. mpw

blond shellac and a shot or two of vodka should clear it up

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Mango
The land some where in the middle
20 47 00N -156 26 00W

Personally, I would not seal with anything until you have dried the wood properly and killed off the fungi so it won't continue to rot. Like was previously mentioned, if you have the wood stickered and in a warm room that will do the trick. Get that moisture out!

peter

It's stickered and stacked properly with plenty weight and air flow, and my shop get's up around 90 in this weather this time of year. Not overly concerned about it warping. I won't be using it for a couple weeks and would rather not have to shellac it, from the feedback I got on another thread about finishing the inside of drawers.

Thanks for the comments. I think I like Mangos suggestion best.

Here's a couple shots of one of the logs I'm cutting up, so you can see what I'm dealing with. This is about 8"x8"x48", which is the biggest I can fit on my BS. A lot of chainsaw and hand work to knock them down to this size.

_________________
I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

Some 3/4" X 3/4" X 5" scraps would sure make some nice looking pens.

Bill

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Amateur Bill
O'Fallon, MO
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If a man speaks in the forest, and no woman hears him, is he still wrong?

I'm in shape, round is a shape.

Is that a hint? If it is, pm me and I'll send you some for the price of shipping. I'll end up torching it otherwise.

Ditto anyone else that wants some. Supply is limited, so first come first served.

_________________
I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

That's some nice looking wood! I know you'll put it to good use.

peter

PM me if you want some. Got plenty.

_________________
I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

Hey Gene,

You have enough there to make some truly stunning book matched panels for cabinet doors.

Peter, you are quick.

Tom

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"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi

I'll be keeping some for future stuff. I have several more about this size. If you want some, see the post in the Swap & Shop. http://www.woodworking.org/InfoExchange ... hp?t=27046

_________________
I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

Just to get some of y'all's screens sloppy, I thought I'd post a couple pics of the homegrown red maple I've been resawing. Getting about 70% yield on this.

_________________
I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)