Could any of your "experts" tell me how you dry wood with a microwave oven?
Do you dry the finished piece, the roughed out bowl or the bowl blank?
How do you keep it from burning the edge of the wood?
How long do you leave it in the oven?
Where can I find all of these answers, plus many more?
Jim
TIA
Probably could. This has been discussed so a search of groups.google.com on group=rec.crafts.woodturning and the word "microwave" should get you some hits. I have not tested it to be sure though.
It depends. I would say "no" on the blanks, simply because most blanks are too much of a challenge to get in the microwave and would take too long to work the moisture out. I, though, do have good luck drying roughed out blanks and finished pieces.
don't microwave it too long.
Which is touched on above. However, a more exact answer is that I tend to go through a cycle of heating on mostly full power for a minute or two, then letting the piece cool down for ten minutes or so. The exact time and heat depends on the piece of course. My goal is to get it hot enough that when I pull it out of the oven, I see a nice plume of steam coming up out of it. I will then let it sit until it cools to the point that there is no more steam. Repeat above until weight loss stops, or, one does not get any more steam out of the piece.
Here, there and everywhere.
YW Dave Mundt
I go lower power, longer time, on the presumption that continuous evolution of vapor from the interior is better than creation, interruption, recreation. If the piece is small enough, you can put it in one of those perforated salad bags they sell. As the condensation forms on the interior, turn the bag inside out during cooling cycles.
The trick is to stop short of a dry piece, which might catch on fire. Here, I believe, lower power also helps, because you have a bit more time between the last of the steam and the first of the smoke. Wipe the interior, and monitor the vapor on the micro window after the first few cycles.
Now remember that steamed wood looks less attractive than quiescently dried. Which is why I normally don't do it. Of course, I don't wet sand or use tung oil for the same reason - looks dull to my eye, and I know I can do better.
Use the LDD method and you won't have to go through these esoteric machinations. Of course, don't let your significant other realize that you are intimately acquainted with Dishwashing substances!*G*
Leif
No expert but you'll find my schedual on
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