Can Basswood Get Too Dry?

[Walt Matzek]

I've picked up a couple of pieces of basswood and my tools seem to tear rather than cut, but on other pieces of wood the cut just fine. I have recently sharpened/honed all of them.

Never have had this happen before.

What is the proper moisture content of basswood for carving? I have been thinking of getting a moisture meter and check these pieces out to what their moisture content is. Bad piece of wood?

I'll be interested in seeing what you all say.
Cowboy

[redbird46]

Walt, if the basswood gets too dry it can be difficult to carve. I know some folks who will spray a hard piece of basswood with a 50/50 alcohol and water mixture and then carve. Also you can spray a block and wrap it in newspaper and put it in the freezer overnight or so and then it will carve easier.
Norb

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I guess it's possible that it's too dry, but I have never experienced that and I store mine in a shed here in Central Tx where it gets awfully dry in the summer. Hi-ho could probably have some input on that. Harold Enlow uses a mist of 50/50 water and rubbing alchohol when carving end grain, so maybe that will help if it is too dry.

My guess is that if you don't know the origin of the wood, you have gotten ahold of some "southern" basswood. Some of it is carveable and a lot of it has various problems from being punky to very hard in spots and very soft in others.

[chuckbolton]

i use 50-50 linseed oil and rubbing alcohol

[artolver]

Poor Basswood and linseed oil? yuk..... There is lots of good basswood....
I prefer Cottonwood bark and meltonian shoe creamCool
art olver

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I have used the 50 % water 50 % alcohol, I put the wood and mixture in a zip lock bag, close it up and leave it for a day or two, works pretty good. Thumbs Up

Dave

[Walt Matzek]

What kind of alcohol? Rubbing? Denatured? Thanks for your help!!!

[Walt Matzek]

Where do you get the cotton wood bark? Any recommendations? I have never carved it. Suggestions? Thank you for your help and suggestion!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I guess either would do, but I use denatured.

Dave

[mdallensr]

I've had air-dried basswood go punky in the center. A couple of inches out from the center of the tree, it's fine but the center was like trying to carve cork. If you can see the growth rings, look to see if the bad wood is the very center of the tree. Mike