I've had good luck microwaving small green bowls. The ones I've done were finish turned to size then microwaved and lightly sanded after drying. In difficult wood a couple cracked immediately after turning before I could get them to the microwave. My hope is the boiling will eliminate the post turning cracking with madrone and holly.
Somewhere on one of the turning forums a poster implied boiled wood tends to air dry faster than unboiled.
My question is, are there any issues with rough turning, boiling and finish turning, then off to the microwave? If the theory of faster drying of boiled wood is valid then my assumption is microwaving would also go faster.
As to boiling....if you have a spouse does boiling in the family kitchen rank right up there with washing greasy machine parts in the dishwasher? Or, is it a fairly odorless, clean operation? I suspect I'll have to do it on the barbeque in the back yard. Stainless container or will aluminum be okay?
Another question, do you put the wood in boiling water or bring the cool water up to a boil after the wood is put in? Some "boilers" also suggest letting the water cool before removing the wood, is this necessary?
Somewhere on one of the turning forums a poster implied boiled wood tends to air dry faster than unboiled.
My question is, are there any issues with rough turning, boiling and finish turning, then off to the microwave? If the theory of faster drying of boiled wood is valid then my assumption is microwaving would also go faster.
As to boiling....if you have a spouse does boiling in the family kitchen rank right up there with washing greasy machine parts in the dishwasher? Or, is it a fairly odorless, clean operation? I suspect I'll have to do it on the barbeque in the back yard. Stainless container or will aluminum be okay?
Another question, do you put the wood in boiling water or bring the cool water up to a boil after the wood is put in? Some "boilers" also suggest letting the water cool before removing the wood, is this necessary?
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