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Question re: turning snakewood

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Mar 9, 2006
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A friend brought me two pen blanks of snakewood to make euro pens with. A note attached to the package said to boil the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before turning, but gave no further instructions. This wood is too costly to mess up, so I need advice on how to proceed. Thanks......Don
 
I can understand their suggestion to boil it. Snakewood is notorious for cracking. Unless your blanks are already very dry it might be a good idea. Or, just use your favorite drying method.

I've only dried one piece (a bowl blank) via the boiling method but it worked very well.
 
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