[xsailer]

After removing a piece of wood from a block of burled maple I now have the remaining block about 3"x4"x5". The wood was/is covered with a protective coat of some kind (feels like wax but not very thick, just a film really) now on only five sides. I got the wood at a Wood Craft store. I probably will not use any more of it for a while and I'm concerned about the block spliting. I know there is somthing I can/should do to prevent this. Any suggestions please?

[Colin_Partridge]

If the block was only coated on five sides it was to let the moisture leave the wood from the part that was not sealed. If the wood is now really dry I would think that it is not likely that it will check. Even so what is the alternative what else are you going to do with it. I would carve it and remove the protective coat. If it does check you could fill the cracks. Also when you are finished carving for the day put it in a plastic bag that will stop it from checking.
Colin

[xsailer]

Colin,
I cut off the one end of the block is the reason the end is unfinished. I probably won't use anymore of the wood for several weeks if not months.

[wade clark]

My guess is that it was covered in Anchorseal, a water soluable wax, sold by Highland Hardware in Atlanta, highlandhardware.com . It will wash off with hot soapy water. It's $14.95 a gallon and is an end grain and green wood sealer. Great stuff! I use it all the time. You can carve right through it too. A gallon goes a long way...but I buy it by the 5 gallons for $54 I believe.
Wade

[Thomp]

coat the end with parifine.... canning wax if your concerned or just wrap it with wax paper... it should fare just fine.

becuse i live in a dusty area, i wrap all my basswood in waxpaper if im not going to carve it any time soon, i also boil some water in a small saucepan and use the saucepan bottom to seal the overlapping waxpaper to close the folds. like the way loaf bread use to come this way years back when the milk man dilivered.

[xsailer]

Thanks for info. I'll have to pick one of the suggestions and go with it. I sure don't want the $30 piece ruined.

[Mryooper]

I have used reagula canning wax and it worked and I have also used polyeuthiene as well and it worked. I think Diamond will is so stressed with all the twist that is will crack no matter what you try. I have some 5 " diamond willow and it still fractured anyways even after sealing it.

[Mryooper]

check this site out for information on sealing green wood.
http://www.hibdonhardwood.com/faqgreenwood.html