Post #72521 by Lake Surfer on Sun, Jan 25, 2004 11:01 PM

Anyone who has seen my recent carvings has read of my cracking wood... I'm pretty upset over these... especially the one with the split all the down it.

I never had this problem in the summer and fall months. I think the wood dried slower and more evenly outside. I've had this wood somewhat wet and drying since November in a basement that's about 50 - 40 degrees. Most of these guys were wet when carved, and unfortunately didn't seal the ends of the logs, both uncarved and carved. Thought they would be fine... now I'm paying. A lot of time down the drain, and these may not be marketable. I may give some wood filler a try in some shallow areas, but I haven't been happy in the past at how it takes stain, even though they claim it is stainable. I also noticed that once I get a crack or split, wacking away and carving the wood makes it split more... ARRRRG!

I know I should have sealed the ends, and will be more dilligent in the future... BK, you had mentioned the 1/4" deep cut in the back to relieve the cracking... it may be too late for these (?) and should I use this method on the next ones?

I know you like a few cracks to give it that "look" but these are pretty extreme.

Learning my lesson the hard way...

[ Edited by: Lake Surfer on 2004-01-25 23:03 ]

[ Edited by: Lake Surfer on 2004-03-22 00:28 ]

[ Edited by: Lake Surfer on 2004-04-14 00:23 ]