Drying wood for woodturning

huskydog

I will shortly cutting down a Magnolia tree ,which has some useful size branches up to 8in thick ,what would be the best way to dry these out ? ,I know it takes some time , and not in a hurry to use them 

JVB66

There is plenty of info on line,

huskydog

If that’s the case then we don’t need CT , as we can find everything out online 

dont waste my time 

redface

Stick them in the shed for a couple of years then any wood not suitable for turning can be chopped up for firewood or kindling.

LLM

HD a few tips given to me by John Makepeace on the seasoning of wood.  

It should be cut into sizes roughly as you would want for the finished product.  Remove the bark.

It should be stored in a building (barn) allowing good ventilation and free from pervasive damp.

It should be dried for at least seven years.  John collected masses of exotic woods from across the country felled by the 1987 storm; none was used for at least eight years.   

Sorry I can't remember the ideal moisture level percentage.  

huskydog

Thanks LLM 

LLM

I don't want to tell granny how to suck eggs but you do know that you can turn wood in it's green state; it depends what you want of the finished article.  Bodgers make some chair parts from green wood.

huskydog

I’ve made a few mushrooms for the garden from the “green logs” and as they’ve  dried some have split , but it adds to their character 

richardandros

Absolutely correct LLM - I have a set of these, specifically designed for turning chair spindles from green ash - and if you can't get that, the trick is to leave seasoned wood to soak for 24 hrs.