[Robert Peak]

I've seen a few things wrote about drying with the microwave, anyone here done any? Got any tips on doing it?

Robert

[Mitchell]

I've never tried it, but have heard first hand of making a mess in the kitchen from a friend that tried it......hence the reason I haven't tried it. That being said, it should work, but I'd keep a close eye on it.

I did a quick search and here are a couple of sites with some good info....

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~rhaslip...e/microwav.htm

http://mgorrow.tripod.com/microwave.html

[Doug Ridley]

I've done it. Works okay. Use low power and watch it close. Make sure two pieces aren't touching each other. DAMHIKT

[rick-in-seattle]

While I do not claim to be proficient at it, I have dried wood with a microwave when I needed it quick.

Here is what I have learned; Use low power, watch the wood closely, and microwaved wood burns from the inside out.

[Arnold Smith]

drying wood in microwave you need the wood in a plastic bag. the water will pull outin to the bag. i put it on hi heat for about 15 sec. then turn the bag wrong side out and do it again untill you get it like you wont it.
Arnold

[R-OLDS]

I have microwaved quite a bit of wood in my barn in an old microwave. There is quite a bit of info online. Lots of people who turn wood do it as well as put wood in the refrigerator to dry.
Some people say don't let the wood get warm in the microwave, I do let it get warm and some times very warm not hot that is when you could have a fire, I've heard of that happening. I let the warm wood cool for a while then do it again when the wood stops loosing weight you are done.

[brian bailey]

If your going to be drying wood, you need to have an understanding of the principles of drying.

Here's a link to some (a lot ) of info on drying wood.

If you take the time to download it, check out page 21, Stages of Drying.

After reading this section you'll have an excellent understanding of how wood dries and will be able to safely dry your wood with minimal defects.

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr118.pdf

[whitecree]

Yet another bookmark to be explored at a later date...


I've dried wood in a micorwave, but not big solid blocks before working them. Now, I can't say the technique works on all greenwood, but for alder fresh from the bush it works well.

I carve whatever it is down to a semi-finished state, leaving only the final sanding and details to do. I wrap the carving in plain newspaper - without printing, y'know, a craft store or stationers will have it - then wrap it in a plastic bag. I nuke on high for no more than a minute, carefully open the bag (hot!) remove the paper, and if it requires it, wrap in dry paper and do it again. When I figure it is done, I leave the bag closed after removing the paper wrapping, and allow to cool. Sand and detail it, apply whatever finish.

For spoons and bowls that will be used, rub the oil into the project, wrap in a clean plastic bag, and nuke for a few seconds, and allow to cool while in the bag. As the wood cools, the oil is sucked right into the pores.

I've done this for 20 or 30 spoons, and only lost 6 or 7 to over-drying, and then only when I first tried. Now, it is rare that one will crack when I use this method.

Be careful, and experiment on scrap at first.

[GILLY]

I did it once with a chunk of birch. I set the power to 10%, my nukers lowest, and timed for 3 minutes. Unfortunatly I got busted, I forgot to take it out, and my wife found it........."why is there wood in my microwave?" needless to say it did dry well, with end checking only, the middle of the piece was dry and tight.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

watch out for pine lol.....mama ain't a gonna like the pitch in her new microwave ha ha