Preparing live edge bowl for storage...

[Donny Lawson]

I roughed out my first live edge bowl this morning and was wanting to know how should I go about putting it up to dry? I usually put regular bowls in a bag with shavings after sealing the end grain.Would this bowl be different?The bowl is a maple with good bark.I left the sides about 1" thick.
Donny

[Nathan Hawkes]

Donny, there are a lot of different opinions on turning, drying, then returning, etc. If I'm trying to keep the bark attached, I definitely turn to finished thickness in one session. Sometimes I have to stop & pick up in the morning if I start a big piece late in the evening, covering it up to keep some moisture in, unless it is especially warm outside; on humid Virginia summer nights this can lead to mildew even overnight. No chance of that anytime soon! :D I've found it pretty difficult to keep bark on pieces that are dried out, due to the vibration increase in dried wood. Just my experience. I always lose pieces of bark & end up searching through the shavings on the floor.....

[David E Keller]

1+ for turning to finished form... Why wait? Any warping will add to the character of the final piece, and your risk for cracking and bark loss will be lessened.

[Donny Lawson]

Thanks, since I had to start another bowl I anchorsealed the live edge one and put it up.I will take it back out in the morning and finish it up.Thanks for the info.
Donny

[Donny Lawson]

OK, I have turned it to a finished thickness. Now do I seal it or just let it dry with nothing on it?Should I put it in a bag and let it dry naturally with shavings?Need to know ASAP please.
. Thanks, Donny

[David E Keller]

If you turned it pretty thin, just leave it. I usually go ahead and put on an oil finish. That probably slows the drying a bit, and it certainly will enhance the grain. Photos needed.

[Nathan Hawkes]

Donny, for me it depends on how wet the wood is. If its an especially wet piece, I let it dry for a week or more at a minimum. Sandpaper just tends to load up with gummy dust if the wood is really wet. I don't bag bowls anymore that I turn to final thickness unless they are sopping wet. I have very good results this way, but I do take a look at it at least a couple times in the first day to see if any cracks are forming; this is the time to soak them with CA glue.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Donny when I take a natural edge to finish I also put a oil finish on it right away. Then two more coats.