Masur Birch

[Michael Stafford]

I have a friend that looks for exotic woods for me during his travels to support my turned box habit. On his most recent trip he found a small log in the round of Masur birch. It is about 12" long and 7 1/2" in diameter. It is sealed in wax and wrapped in multiple layers of plastic. Obviously it is green. How should I process this material to cut it up into box sized blanks to maximize the yield and ensure that I will not abuse or lose this material because I do not have any idea how to work with it? I know about alcohol drying and already use that method but I just am not sure if there are any special precautions that I should use with this material?

Any advice appreciated...Thanks.

[Jim Ketron]

Mike the best thing I can tell you is turn it ASAP. I know you have used the alcohol method on a box or two how did it work for you?
Good Luck!

[Jim Becker]

I'll add that you want to turn it end-grain with the pith centered for best effect.