Plastic Wrap Moisture Tip
by Phil Colson
Woodturner
If you are a new turner or an old hand at turning, there are times when you can't complete the turning
on the lathe. The problem is that you have been spinning your work and drying the outside fibers.
When you come back to the work it is no longer round and maybe cracked, depending on how long you
were away. I'm not talking about going into the house for a cup of coffee. I had to leave a hollow form
on the lathe to be finished the next day. I knew if I didn't keep the moisture in the wood I may not be
able to finish the piece. Thinking cap on (an old bicycle cap), I thought about how you keep moisture in
while cooking: you wrap it!
Into the house for the plastic wrap. I wrapped the piece and when I came
back to work on it later, it was still round and no cracks.
Try it. It works for me.
Phil can be reached directly via email at
woodturnerphil@gmail.com.
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