Dan Mitchell
09-28-2008, 8:17 PM
I recently bought a block of Imbuia wood at Rockler, with the idea of making a "bandsaw box" for my MIL's 70th birthday. Image is below. The block is coated in paraffin (I'm assuming/have been told), as you often see with turning blocks. I'm wondering how to get rid of the wax, and when I should do this. To the former question, I could resaw thin slabs from the sides of the block, but I want to retain the "bark" area on the top of the block to be the top of the finished box. Several suggestions have been made for removing the wax: Mineral spirits (others have said this will drive the dissolved paraffin INTO the pores of the wood, undesirable) a heat gun to melt it off, and even a power washer. I'm wondering what the consensus is here on removing this coating.
Also, WHEN should I remove the coating? Is the wood underneath likely to be dry, so removing the wax will allow the block to ABSORB moisture (undesired), or is the wood under the wax likely to HAVE moisture content NOW, so I should REMOVE the wax & let the block sit before working it, or the finished box may warp with time as a result of water loss???
I'm at a loss on the best way to procede. The gift has to be done in early December. Should I remove the wax, work the wood immediately & finish, or should I remove the wax, let the block rest, then work it in a month or so???
And HOW should I remove the paraffin, especially from the rough, "bark" area on the top?
TIA
Dan
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-10/1282864/Imbuia.JPG
Also, WHEN should I remove the coating? Is the wood underneath likely to be dry, so removing the wax will allow the block to ABSORB moisture (undesired), or is the wood under the wax likely to HAVE moisture content NOW, so I should REMOVE the wax & let the block sit before working it, or the finished box may warp with time as a result of water loss???
I'm at a loss on the best way to procede. The gift has to be done in early December. Should I remove the wax, work the wood immediately & finish, or should I remove the wax, let the block rest, then work it in a month or so???
And HOW should I remove the paraffin, especially from the rough, "bark" area on the top?
TIA
Dan
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-10/1282864/Imbuia.JPG