Method of crack prevention in hollow vessels

[Alan Tolchinsky]

I just turned a couple of hollow items from some green spalted maple. Overnight this one cracked. What's the best way to prevent this problem? Thanks for any ideas. Alan

[Jim Becker]

'Best bet is to rough turn thick and then dry them before completing them. Wet material will often do this, especially if there is any variation in wall thickness whatsoever. Remember, spalted material is also partially "decomposed" and is even more fragile.

[Anthony Yakonick]

The lid was thicker than the body and the body shrunk around the lid and cracked.

[Alan Tolchinsky]

try the alcohol method and see how that works with this. I did microwave one and that came out o.k. I can't figure out why microwaving works since you're getting rid of the water faster. You'd think it would crack just as fast as slow drying or actually faster. Um?

[Gary Max]

The mic drys the wood from the inside.

[Alan Tolchinsky]

The mic drys the wood from the inside.
Makes sense Gary. Now I'll have to see if the wife will use it with the stink and all. :)