DRY ROT!

Captain_Bandaid · #1 06-04-2003, 04:42 PM

After carving most of a complex Celtic love spoon from Butternut, I encountered what I think is dry rot! The wood was very hard, unlike properly seasoned Butternut, When cutting through one area, I noticed the softer, pithier layers were very powedery. Is this dry rot?

AlArchie · #2 06-04-2003, 05:28 PM

Sure sounds like it. Â*Dry rot can be anywhere from mild discoloration, stringy fibers with powdery dust or crumbly wood fibers, and powder. Â*Basswood, poplar, aspen and the likes are quite suceptable, especially if they get wet, after being cut and seasoned. Â*If in the early stages, you can salvage it by using some of that 'wood hardner' put out by minwax, or any other comparable product. Â*Repair to heavilly damaged wood can be acomplished with a two part liquid epoxy made especially for that purpose. Â*You can find that at most marine supplies, some hardware stores where they handle a lot of paints and sundries and a few good paint stores.

Al

#3 06-04-2003, 06:16 PM

Cap't.
More likely, it is the work of the powder-post beetle.

Here is part of an article from WCI:
'A serious problem plaguing butternut is its durability. It has almost no resistance to decay and it is readily infested by the furniture beetle. Even the growing tree is susceptible to attack by insects and fungus before it ever reaches maturity. Carvers sometimes find the larvae of powder post beetles in the wood, especially if it has been on the ground for too long.

When carved, the wood may appear riddled with holes. Kiln drying will take care of the insects, and if that is not possible for a large piece you have come across, a tough finish will seal the fate of any worms left in the wood.'

Captain_Bandaid · #4 06-04-2003, 07:52 PM

I didn't see any wormholes. I bought this 1x12x6' plank off of an old carver who was giving up carving because his eyesight was failing. No telling how long he had it in his shop. I think I will try spraying it with water/alcohol mix to finish up the carving and seal it up quickly. :

#5 06-19-2003, 03:05 AM

When I find dry rot or just soft spots, I soak the spot in super glue and let it dry over night. It works for me! :

Sid

#6 06-19-2003, 12:13 PM

[quote author=Sidro53 link=board=GeneralC;num=1054762970;start=0#4 date=06/19/03 at 03:05:28]When I find dry rot or just soft spots, I soak the spot in super glue and let it dry over night. It works for me! :

Sid[/quote]

Just a caution. Never use super glue when you are going to woodburn the carving. Super glue releases deadly toxic fumes on contact with heat. You can never be too safe!

Donna

#7 06-22-2003, 01:16 AM

Donna, thanks for the information about superglue. I have not tryed burning with it (thank goodness). But it cuts good. It even works when turning on a lathe. Thanks again.
Sid

Captain_Bandaid · #8 07-21-2003, 11:57 AM

UPDATE: Finished this carving with no major problems. I am still not sure if this was dry rot or if the wood was just extremely well aged. The grain was very coarse and this made it hard to carve. I was not particularly pleased with the results as it was difficult to maintain the details. I will get the finish coat applied and take a picture for picturetrials soon.

Captain_Bandaid · #9 07-23-2003, 12:25 PM

:

The Love Spoon in question is posted on http://www.picturetrail.com under decorative and relief carvings. On to the next project...........

mdallensr · #10 07-23-2003, 04:58 PM

Hi Cap'n. I checked out your other love spoons on your web site. Great work on one of my favorite themes! Keep on carving.