Question about scales.........?

[Odie]

I did my monthly weights of bowls in process of being seasoned this morning.

A couple weights were 5 grams more than last month. This is something that happens year around with bowls that are close to finishing the seasoning process. I had thought that rainy weather, snow, and cold temperatures might have something to do with it. I've always just accepted this as a weight gain for whatever reason, and I don't know why I've never thought this was due to the scale itself before.....that's probably it!

I'm wondering if those who are seasoning by month-to-month weighings are experiencing the same peculiarity. Is it the scale, or could these bowls actually be gaining weight? Can they actually gain weight when the natural direction of seasoning is lose weight?

ko

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

Kelly , I do my weights daily and yes have occasionally had a weight gain of 1 Gm or 2. Some times it does seem weather related and others not sure. I only started the weighing last spring so have not done that many. I do not have any I am weighing right now , but this wet weather we have had last week would have been interesting.

 

[Dennis J Gooding]

Should be easy to check. Pick a metal object of roughly the same weight as the bowl and weigh it each time you weigh your bowl. Compare the weight variations of the two objects.

 

[hockenbery]

Increase in humidity can cause bowls close to dry to gain weight.
It can also affect the fit of box lids.

It can be an issue with furniture drawers and cabinets doors becoming tight or miss aligned.

Wood reaches an equilibrium with its environment.

I think "understanding Wood" by Hoadly has a table on what the stabilized MC is at various relative humidities.

I will look for that later. Al

 

[Donna Banfield]

I know I always gain weight this time of year 🙂 Maybe the bowls do for the same reason😀

 

[hockenbery]

Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadly is a book I recommend to anyone who works with wood.
He has an excellent descriptions of how wood warps.
And a good instruction on wood identification at the macroscopic level like Rob Wallace endorses.

Here is is a picture of his chart showing the MC.
As you can see if a bowl were stabilized at 30% RH it would eventually achieve a MC 5-7% but dry no more
And the weight will stay the same. If it is moved to a 60% RH for a long enough time it would stabilize to 9-13% MC

MC is the % of weight that is water
RH is a function of evaporation.

We have a dehumidifier in the drying room set at 45%RH. the wood will stabilize at 8-10% MC.
I use a moisture meter. But I need to control the RH for the wood to dry.

Weighing works and would be more accurate than my two pin meter if the RH is constant.
Also you need to know the RH know what 0 weight gain means.
RH gauges cost less than $5

Al

 

[Bill Boehme]

What Al says. The weather affects the drying rate and once dry, the weight will fluctuate with changes in moisture in the air. I have found my digital scale to be accurate and repeatable so it is the wood and not scale accuracy. Also when measuring in grams we need to keep in mind that a gram is a really tiny unit. One gram is only 0.0352 ounce. Also, consider the total weight of the piece. If it weighs 50 grams then 5 grams might mean something, but if the total weight is 500 grams, five grams isn't much. Express the weight change to total weight as a percentage to see a more realistic number.

 

[Gretch Flo]

I know I always gain weight this time of year 🙂 Maybe the bowls do for the same reason😀

Me too Donna. Afraid it's more than 5 grams!!!!😀 Gretch

 

[Odie]

OK, thank you all for the input here. I guess it's the wood varying slightly according to varying atmospheric conditions after all.

Just me trying to overthink things again........🙄

ko

 

[john lucas]

Ditto Donna. Gonna have to get serious about exercising starting next week. Odie. Exercise with your bowls that may change the weight of both.

 

[John Torchick]

During the holidays, all the treats and goodies go to waist. 🙁

I would think that during periods of high humidity that there would be a gain in MC.

 

[Odie]

Ditto Donna. Gonna have to get serious about exercising starting next week. Odie. Exercise with your bowls that may change the weight of both.

I could lose a few pounds, as well. How would you suggest I exercise with my bowls......use them as platforms for push-ups? Ha! 🙄

As I get older, I do see one thing that could eventually become a problem, and it's long hours standing at the lathe. I bought one of those gel mats, and that's a fantastic product. If I could find a pair of slip on sneakers with 1 1/2" thick (replaceable) gel soles, I'd buy them in a heart beat! If such a product isn't available anywhere, I'll bet someone could make a business out of it selling to old fogies like me......!

ko

 

[Dean Center]

Odie,
If memory serves, we had a couple Arctic fronts come down East of the divide back in November. If they reached you, that would be cold, dry air and reduce the relative humidity as the air is warmed in your home and shop. Lately, you've been getting weather off the Pacific, with moister air and warmer temperatures than we had back in November. If the weather can do it, we may have had the right variation to explain it.

 

[john lucas]

Odie. One thing that works for me is to put a 4x4 on the floor near your lathe. Just a short piece. Periodically stand with one foot on this. It relaxes your leg and your back. Change feet often. Then stand on it with just the balls of your feet and lower your heels down to stretch your calves. I know everyone has a chin up bar in their shop. Jump up and hang from it concentrating on letting the lower back elongate. Man does that feel good Then lift your knees up to your chest about 10 times. This relives a lot of areas in your lower back.

 

[James Seyfried]

As I get older, I do see one thing that could eventually become a problem, and it's long hours standing at the lathe. I bought one of those gel mats, and that's a fantastic product. If I could find a pair of slip on sneakers with 1 1/2" thick (replaceable) gel soles, I'd buy them in a heart beat! If such a product isn't available anywhere, I'll bet someone could make a business out of it selling to old fogies like me......!

ko

You might want to try these Supportive Insoles I found on Vinces Wood-N-Wonders.

I like John's suggestion with the 4x4...I do hang from a bar to stretch my back and that helps too.

Congratulations on retirement! I have heard some people say it took them awhile to get used to it...I don't know what they mean, I got used to it by time I left the parking lot. 🙂

 

[Odie]

Odie,
If memory serves, we had a couple Arctic fronts come down East of the divide back in November. If they reached you, that would be cold, dry air and reduce the relative humidity as the air is warmed in your home and shop. Lately, you've been getting weather off the Pacific, with moister air and warmer temperatures than we had back in November. If the weather can do it, we may have had the right variation to explain it.

Yeah, I remember that, Dean.....It did get down around zero at the end of November. That undoubtedly had some effect on the weight of bowls being seasoned. I have a heater going in the shop 24/7 this time of year, but set at 40°.....just enough to keep things above freezing.

Odie. One thing that works for me is to put a 4x4 on the floor near your lathe. Just a short piece. Periodically stand with one foot on this. It relaxes your leg and your back. Change feet often. Then stand on it with just the balls of your feet and lower your heels down to stretch your calves. I know everyone has a chin up bar in their shop. Jump up and hang from it concentrating on letting the lower back elongate. Man does that feel good Then lift your knees up to your chest about 10 times. This relives a lot of areas in your lower back.

John....don't have a chin-up bar, but I can rig something up to do that......I'm moving a small portable stepping machine and a set of dumbells out to the shop......plan on setting a timer, and doing about five minuets every couple hours or so......

You might want to try these Supportive Insoles I found on Vinces Wood-N-Wonders.

I like John's suggestion with the 4x4...I do hang from a bar to stretch my back and that helps too.

Congratulations on retirement! I have heard some people say it took them awhile to get used to it...I don't know what they mean, I got used to it by time I left the parking lot. 🙂

I see some of those Magstrides on eBay for cheaper, just put it on my watch list. My first reaction was "Man, they are expensive".....but, looks like you can get a set and knock off about 30%, or so.....

In my opinion, those who don't do so well in retirement, are those who look to be "entertained", and not work towards some personal goal.

Yes, I am officially retired, but for the time being, I'm still a part-time employee.......

ko

 

[Odie]

One set of "mag steps" on the way. Made an offer of $25 on eBay, and was accepted. With shipping comes to $31.65.....almost half price!

Thanks for the suggestion, James......will be trying them out soon! 😎

ko