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- Nov 1, 2013
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- Gulfport, MS
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- www.woodtreasuresbybreck.com
Have any of you turners every tried this. I just heard about it and wanted to get some more info on this method. Pro's and cons
There has been a lot of interest in this lately in our local club (Wine Country Woodturners). We have a resident enthusiast who is really bright and methodical, and has been taking the scientific approach to exploring this, and some others have been following suit. The basic thrust is - the crystal cat litter is the sweet spot for effectiveness and cost. Don't be surprised if this becomes standard practice.
The fellow in Wine Country Woodturners who did the experimenting with the cat crystals, made some screens and put it out in the sun to dry.
Basically would rough out a bowl and dry it to about 10% in about 45 days. Some movement, but no cracks and the movement was not too bad.
Attended a Zoom meeting of Lighthouse Woodturners today. One of their members has been using crystals and gets dry bowl in 4-5 days. Said bowl mist be covered in crystals and that the crystals are only good for one bowl and then need recharge.
Our fellow's results suggest that drying is both rapid and even (i.e. unlikely to result in cracking). He is using crystals that can be dried and reused - certain brands/types allow for this. He is very methodical/scientific - uses both weights and (accurate) moisture content meter readings. I forget if he had multiple species, but knowing this guy, he likely did. We all know nothing is perfect, but this was remarkable for both the speed and the quality of the drying. He's got my attention, that's for sure.
I think he said by weightHi Gerald.....
Amazing!
How did he determine it was dry?
-----odie-----
I think he said by weight
My understanding is the he is doing experimentation which would involve different time frames. If I were doing it I would weigh daily and record. When the curve (Bell Curve used here) of change flattens then we are done. Isn't that what you would do. I looked up the price on Amazon But I think you can get it in bulk . The indicating (color change) is Probably best at 8# $35 . But there are many types and research would be required.If it was by weight, then what was the reference point? If the drying period was 4-5 days, then how does he know the weight wouldn't have changed over another week.....a month.....etc.?
-----odie-----
Can someone PLEASE gives more information on the brand names that these "crystals" are sold by? There are more kinds of cat litter than there are cats. And wading thru the marketing language and claims of superiority written on each bag is beginning to....smell.
this is intriguing
Any idea on the sizes of the bowls? Any issues returning the dried bowls?
with bowls there is a big difference between drying an 8” bowl and drying a 16” bowl.
In the same species the inches of shrinkage will be double in the 16” bowl.
you can get away with a lot in a small bowl and dry It successfully. The larger bowls need to have curves and even walls..
I’m considering trying to write something more systematic
If I were doing it I would weigh daily and record. When the curve (Bell Curve used here) of change flattens then we are done. Isn't that what you would do
I am presuming he kept weighing and found that after a period longer than 4-5 days he got a stable rough bowl at that point, but I have no idea what size he was doing either which would also affect the results.Hey Gerald.....
Yes, I weigh.....monthly. For sure, I'm a bit skeptical about how accurate you can be for determining stabilization by weight, over a period of only 4-5 days. I'm open to more input on how this is done, though. If the silica desiccant beads are the magic solution they are touted, then this method is going to be very popular.
-----odie-----