• The forum upgrades have been completed. These were moderate security fixes from our software vendor and it looks like everything is working well. If you see any problems please post in the Forum Technical Support forum or email us at forum_moderator (at) aawforum.org. Thank you
  • Congratulations to Bernie Hyrtzak, People's Choice in the January 2026 Turning Challenge (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to David Croxton for "Geri's Basket Illusion" being selected as Turning of the Week for February 2, 2026 (click here for details)
  • AAW Symposium demonstrators announced - If the 2026 AAW International Woodturning Symposium is not on your calendar, now is the time to register. And there are discounts available if you sign up early, by Feb. 28. Early Bird pricing gives you the best rate for our 40th Anniversary Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 4–7, 2026. (There are discounts for AAW chapter members too) For more information vist the discussion thread here or the AAW registration page
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

Finishing wormy wood

Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
3,023
Likes
2,543
Location
Bozeman, MT
I just cut down my neighbor's nearly deceased apple tree. (Yes, I had permission:rolleyes:) After cutting into sections, I found a lot of it looked pretty punky but before tossing 2/3 of the tree, I decided to try turning a chunk and it made a very nice bowl. It's spalted, but not soft and punky after all. Plus, I turned it to finished shape right off and it barely moved.

Normally, I use tung oil and top with a little wax on apple, but the two pieces I've finished have many worm holes and grooves in them. Wax would seem likely to end up in chunks in the holes. How would you suggest I finish them?

Dean Center
 
Depending on the variety of wax, warm it so it flows instead of clumps. Hair dryer ought to do for it.
 
Thanks for the recommendations. I've got beeswax in citrus oil slush, Renaissance and a Minwax product. There are a bazillion holes in the 2 bowls I've finished and I would prefer not to have to clean out every one.
Dean
 
Back
Top