Best way to store basswood, butternut, walnut indoors

[Gblueline]

I live in an apartment. and need to find out some suggestions on storing basswood, butternut, and walnut for carving.

I tried to start with Chip Carving, and used a piece of basswood, purchased from a major arts & craftys store. Unfortunately, I unwrapped it (from the shrink wrap) and its been sitting around for at least a year.

I don't have a mositure meter - so I can't tell how dry it is - but it is VERY HARD to cut with a chip knife. So - here are a couple of questions:

1. What is the best (or "safest") way to store "new" purchased quality carving wood so it doesn't get dried out? By new I mean purchased via direct mail within the last 2 weeks or so.

2. Is there anyway to tell about how dry the wood is without a moisture meter?

Thanks for your help,

Glenn

[Robson Valley]

1. Have you got a shady place on a balcony where you can leave the extra wood wrapped in a garbage bag?
2. I brought far too much wood into the house. Bone-dry now, I can tell that it's far harder to carve and splinters more easily. Western red cedar, I have to make many more 'stop-cuts' than if it was a piece from the shed in the back yard.

[Gblueline]

Thanks for getting back to me!

I do have a shady spot outside.

What do you think about a large plastic container with a damp sponge (or paper toweling) left in there?

thanks again,

Glenn

[Robson Valley]

Hard to say what the moisture content is/was when you buy it. Airdried, outdoors under cover, the wood will settle down to 12 - 14% MC. High humidity and I predict mold. Just keep it in the shade, maybe covered if you care about bird ka-ka.

I pile extra carving wood on top of the dog houses, out in the open. There's always rock dust in the wind here from the mountains. It gets into absolutely everything. So shelter or not, my wood gets dirty. and/or wet. It looked like that when I found it. I try to wash the pieces in the sink if they're less than 6" x 6" x 36" and split/plane the surfaces a bit. I wrecked my new planer knife in less than 10 minutes in dirty wood.

[sashadoc]

I don't know about the other woods but Basswood ( If it's from a reputable source,like Heinecke.) comes ready to carve. I have had some pieces laying around for nearly a year that are still carving easily. I don't complicate the storage by worrying about a moisture content. It hasn't become hard to carve yet. The wood you purchase at someplace like Michaels is wood that most carvers wouldn't touch. Stick with Heinecke and you can't go wrong. Good prices, great service, and good people. Here's the link:
Heinecke Wood Products

good carving to you, Tim

[Gblueline]

Tim:

Thank you for your information. I actually called Heineke yesterday.

When I receive it, and use it - i will post my experiences with "real" carving wood!

Thanks again.

[Lazy Carver]

Cool dry place, away from draft's. Away from direct sunlight... A basement or cellar is an ideal place, as long as its not damp during summer months and temperature variances are +/- 15~20 degrees. You should be okay... quarter sawn wood dries best!
Sincerely, Rob Vega (Lazy C.)