I did try the search function but didn't find any threads that were obviously focused on using plastic wrap for protecting wood from cracks. Even if it just gives me a few days to rough turn bowl blanks and rewrap or Anchorseal would be a big help. For whatever reason Anchorseal isn't working for me, probably because the cracks have started before I get Anchorseal on the wood trying to saw and seal as a one man show.
Can plastic wrap be used effectively to prevent bowl blanks fresh cut from a log from cracking? I'm almost out of my five gallons of Anchorseal and find it messy, wasteful, expensive, and not too effective for the purpose! Main problem may be that I am slow in the South Louisiana heat working by myself but when I make cuts in the wood one piece is cracking by the time I paint the other.
While plastic wrap may be pricey if I save wood it may be cheap in the long run. Looking for a faster way to seal my blanks as I cut them and hopefully a more effective way.
Questions about using plastic to let the wood dry:
First the most basic question, does it work for you?
Shrink wrap or stretch wrap?
I'm assuming wrap around the endgrain and sides of the rough cut blank leaving the bark and the side opposite the bark largely open with just the overlap from the plastic covering part of these areas. Is this correct or off base? Maybe full surface wrap?
Hoping to speed up my handing of blanks and reduce cracking. I have had very little success with Anchorseal probably because cracks are starting to form before I get it on the wood even coating after cutting out every piece of wood. This is so slow adjacent pieces are getting fine cracks in the surface before I cut then out and paint I believe. My one man operation is admittedly very slow, only cutting out maybe a half dozen or less big blanks in a work day. Health issues are what they are and not going away. Frustrating to do the work only to be looking at ruined blanks when I look at them a few days or weeks later.
Looking at fairly heavy packaging plastic wrap in the 80-120 thicknesses to keep from tearing easily on rough edges but I have only tried the household wrap on partially turned blanks so far. The wrap to save very green wood is a new area for me. Seems like the price of Anchorseal from UC coatings is up quite a bit from last time aside from anything else. Other options that weren't practical before such as titebond may be a consideration but for speed, less mess, and less waste I am very interested in the plastic for a one man operation if it will work. Trying to speed up getting something on the wood to prevent cracking is the main consideration. Tired of turning blanks that are cracked before I start.
Anyone using plastic to preserve the wood before the rough turning stage, any advice appreciated!
Hu Lowery
Can plastic wrap be used effectively to prevent bowl blanks fresh cut from a log from cracking? I'm almost out of my five gallons of Anchorseal and find it messy, wasteful, expensive, and not too effective for the purpose! Main problem may be that I am slow in the South Louisiana heat working by myself but when I make cuts in the wood one piece is cracking by the time I paint the other.
While plastic wrap may be pricey if I save wood it may be cheap in the long run. Looking for a faster way to seal my blanks as I cut them and hopefully a more effective way.
Questions about using plastic to let the wood dry:
First the most basic question, does it work for you?
Shrink wrap or stretch wrap?
I'm assuming wrap around the endgrain and sides of the rough cut blank leaving the bark and the side opposite the bark largely open with just the overlap from the plastic covering part of these areas. Is this correct or off base? Maybe full surface wrap?
Hoping to speed up my handing of blanks and reduce cracking. I have had very little success with Anchorseal probably because cracks are starting to form before I get it on the wood even coating after cutting out every piece of wood. This is so slow adjacent pieces are getting fine cracks in the surface before I cut then out and paint I believe. My one man operation is admittedly very slow, only cutting out maybe a half dozen or less big blanks in a work day. Health issues are what they are and not going away. Frustrating to do the work only to be looking at ruined blanks when I look at them a few days or weeks later.
Looking at fairly heavy packaging plastic wrap in the 80-120 thicknesses to keep from tearing easily on rough edges but I have only tried the household wrap on partially turned blanks so far. The wrap to save very green wood is a new area for me. Seems like the price of Anchorseal from UC coatings is up quite a bit from last time aside from anything else. Other options that weren't practical before such as titebond may be a consideration but for speed, less mess, and less waste I am very interested in the plastic for a one man operation if it will work. Trying to speed up getting something on the wood to prevent cracking is the main consideration. Tired of turning blanks that are cracked before I start.
Anyone using plastic to preserve the wood before the rough turning stage, any advice appreciated!
Hu Lowery