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  #1  
Old 11-22-2006, 10:04 AM
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Default Spraying wood to soften

Stupid of me to have forgotton, but it has been a long time since I've sprayed a piece to soften the wood for ease of carving. What do you use? Plain water will work but some prefer a 50/50 mixture of water and alchohol....I think???
Any feed back will be appreciated.
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  #2  
Old 11-22-2006, 10:55 AM
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Default Re: Spraying wood to soften

I don't do it often, but on end grain and very hard stock I use 50/50 water / alcohol
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  #3  
Old 11-22-2006, 10:59 AM
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Default Re: Spraying wood to soften

BB,
...some also use just straight alcohol as well...
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  #4  
Old 11-22-2006, 11:26 AM
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Default Re: Spraying wood to soften

I don't reccommend this as it makes carving toxic as all get out, but if you want to soften wood, get some pure, waterless ammonia and soak the wood for a couple of hours. Turns wood into silly putty, then when the ammonia evapourates, it returns to being wood.

Yeah, water or a 50/50 mix with inchohol. Talking
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  #5  
Old 11-22-2006, 11:29 AM
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Default Re: Spraying wood to soften

hmm
thanks for posting that, I've never heard of this before. (been out of carving awhile) I will need to try it myself.
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  #6  
Old 11-22-2006, 11:55 AM
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Default Re: Spraying wood to soften

at .68 a quart....I use straight rubbing alcohol....don't have to worry about water stains that way.
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  #7  
Old 11-22-2006, 12:55 PM
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Default Re: Spraying wood to soften

What HI HO said!
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Old 11-22-2006, 05:03 PM
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Default Re: Spraying wood to soften

Or you can try some straight Jack Daniels or better yet some Cutty Sark. No, not on the wood, 2 fingers in a glass. The wood will seem a lot softer and more compliant!

Al
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Old 11-22-2006, 05:22 PM
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Default Re: Spraying wood to soften

Yeh but you sure can't get JD for .68 a quart, not even 10 times that!

errr, uh....ummmm.....so I've been told!
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Old 11-22-2006, 06:12 PM
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Default Re: Spraying wood to soften

Al, that would be two fingers high eh? One index finger on each hand,about 5 inches apart I am a think'in.

Hmm, Jack Daneils of J.W. Dante hmmm, some good old Southern Confort. Ya know the stuff that picks you up and then slams you face down if you have to much. Like Hi Hosaid, so I am told.
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