Removing bark?

[John Torchick]

I have some small pieces of wood that I would like to turn. They are too small to cut into slabs or square stock. Is there an advantage to removing the bark to speed up drying? What is the best way or tool to remove the bark? Thanks.

 

[ray hampton]

birch bark comes off easy but other trees bark are hard to remove once the tree are dry ----have you try to use a draw-knife to remove the bark

 

[ray hampton]

the best reason for removing the bark is to remove insects

 

[MichaelMouse]

I have some small pieces of wood that I would like to turn. They are too small to cut into slabs or square stock. Is there an advantage to removing the bark to speed up drying? What is the best way or tool to remove the bark? Thanks.

It will speed up drying, but it will speed up the exterior in preference to the interior. That means radial checks and splits on your round stock. Now's the time to get those goblets or boxes - while it's green. I turn goblets all at once, turn, dry, (re)turn boxes. Ornaments are a good choice for small round wood as well.

Bark spuds and bark knives, big sturdy version of drawknives, were use in times past to peel pulp so the transport wouldn't have to move so much dead weight. Only thing that's regularly peeled now in my neck of the woods is cedar poles.

 

[John Torchick]

Thanks for the help!