Cary Swoveland
03-27-2008, 7:04 PM
I have several blocks of macassar ebony that I would like to resaw into 1/2" thick boards, which I'll use for drawfronts, sides and tops of boxes, and so on. The blocks are of varying widths and lengths (up to about 16" long), but most are about 2-1/2 thick. When I received them, all the blocks had been planed and jointed, the ends had been squared and all surfaces had been waxed. They contain 100% usable wood.
I checked several with a moisture meter, inserting the pins about 1/16" into the end grain. Most had readings in the 22%-28% range, but several were more than 30% (the maximum reading).
I would like advice on the best way to air drying the pieces, to minimize cracking and warping. I'm in no rush to use them, but don't want to wait years. One thought is to resaw each into two 1-1/4" slabs and then stack them with stickers. I presume I should leave both faces of each board either waxed or unwaxed. I'm concerned that if they are not waxed, they may dry to quickly, and if waxed, will take forever to dry.
What to do?
Cary
I checked several with a moisture meter, inserting the pins about 1/16" into the end grain. Most had readings in the 22%-28% range, but several were more than 30% (the maximum reading).
I would like advice on the best way to air drying the pieces, to minimize cracking and warping. I'm in no rush to use them, but don't want to wait years. One thought is to resaw each into two 1-1/4" slabs and then stack them with stickers. I presume I should leave both faces of each board either waxed or unwaxed. I'm concerned that if they are not waxed, they may dry to quickly, and if waxed, will take forever to dry.
What to do?
Cary