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Regreening wood?

J

JERALDB

Joined
Mar 7, 2005
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How do I soften wood that is already dry? I got a honey locust log from a friends wood pile and it is hard as a rock. And I'm turning end-grain. Might I also add that this is my first turning ever.

This log is currently 26 inches long and about 10 inches in diameter. Should I just soak in water, or something else? And, how long should I soak it.
 
The Hard way

Jerrold you are starting the hard way. As far as I know there is no way to regreen wood. When wood dries first it looses its free water. Then the chemically bound water in the cell walls comes out. Soaking will not make the water chemically bind back into the cells. It will soften it some but not all the way. Repeated wetting and drying promotes cracking. End grain is a lot harder than side grain. Tell us what you are trying to make and what tools you are using and maybe someone can tell you where to start. Sharp tools are a must for cutting end grain.
Tom
 
You can probably do it if you'd like to wait around for a year or two. That's about the time it would take if you "submerged" the log in a sealed water container to prevent evaporation.

Locust will get like rock.

While you're waiting for the locust to soften, go find some nice "soft" green wood to start turning. Poplar, for instance, is a great wood to learn on, and is very common. There's an endless supply of wood in your area. Just call any tree trimmer, your Public Works Dept., or your power company; Nice fresh-cut, green, and free!!!

M
 
Unless the dry wood is spectacular, I would just chuck it out. You'll just be fighting the wood, when you could be learning to cut on a softer medium. Wet wood is both self lubricating, and it is much softer so it will be easier to cut. In addition to those points it is likely that your dry wood will be cracked, which leads to other problems.
 
Off with the honeylocust...

and on with the green poplar. What a difference green wood makes.
 
You'll get spoiled with green poplar. I can't say that I've found anything that turns quite like green poplar. There are lots of woods that turn nicely when wet, and my favorites are usually fruit woods like cherry, pear, and apple. Still, wet poplar is somehow different than the rest.

Dry poplar is another story.
 
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