Soft Wood?

[rgon]

I am doing a carving in southern basswood, and have run into some soft spots. Any suggestions on how to harden this wood, my tools are sharp, but still do not want to cut well in this soft wood.

[susieq]

Hi rgon,
don't feel bad.....this is typical of Southern basswood. I learned the hard way years ago, not to buy this wood. My folks live in N. Carolina and there is a saw mill near them. I went there and bought 100 board feet of local basswood, hauled it back to Florida and proceeded to try and carve it. It is miserable to try and gouge carve. I could only power carve it and it still was not a good thing.... I burned most of it in my woodstove over several winters. Burns good.

I don't know what to tell you about trying to salvage it other than to ask Lynn D. the caracature carver about that 50/50 alcohol and water solution that they were just posting about this past week. That might work for you. They said it helped with "pithy" wood.....
Good luck and best wishes.
susieq

[Eddy-Smiles]

Ditto!! I'm not sure what it is about southern woods but southern basswood either turns out extremely hard or extremly soft. I could be all wet but I'm betting that it has something to do with the way its cured - air dry versus kiln, although I've carved both and there was little consistency in each. Perhaps it's just the tree itself and the fact that we have such moderate winters in the south. I try to buy northern basswood when I can but unfortunately my bread and butter is southern because I can get it so easily.

[susieq]

Hi Eddy,
Southern basswood is softer because of the short, not so cold winters .
Northern basswood is exposed to longer, much colder winters while growing. Makes the wood finer, more even grained, and firmer than trees growing in warmer climates. I have yet to run into hard southern basswood....not saying you can't, just haven't seen it myself.
susieq

[BobD]

I'd suggest a bit of really thin CA glue (or super glue). That will harden the area up nicely. But it limits the finish you can apply afterwards...an oil finish is out, but you can apply a lacquer or paint over it.

Bob

[AlArchie]

Try that Minwax Wood Hardener. I know, I sound like a shill for Minwax, but this stuff really works. It's a thin, one part liquid that soaks in thoroughly and hardens really fast. You can carve it when its dry, but it will be a lot harder than the original wood. Bettr'n than super glue for large areas. comes in a pint can for around 10 bucks. A can will last you a looooong time, and it doesn't seem to go bad over time. Keep it capped tight, though.

Al