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I am in the process of carving a mantle (Spruce) for the new fireplace we have put in the cottage. Hand split stone for the face, crush blocks for the joists in basement, fresh air supply to box, and heater duct with fan to the main plenum. My question is ****How does one prevent or slow the process of cracking that is natural when carving a block of wood 8 feet x 8″ x 12″. I thought of bathing the carved peice in mineral or light weight non- petroluem product when done.
Any ideas out there?? Also curious about designing some sort of an access panel to the main stack so if I ever have to change out some stack pieces I’ll be able to. Any feedback on the type of stack I should be looking at????? 2100 degree, with batt insulation, welded seams, stainless or?? Chase is insulated on exterior of house. Kayne at [email protected]
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Knots might provide some information on checking.
*I'd say, choosing the right stick in the first place, would certainly be the best way to minimize cracking. Wood with minimal movement, like cherry. Already dried to 7 or 8% moisture content and very importantly, cut from heart wood without the center rings.
*Kayne, What about using PEG (poly ethylene glycol). Its the stuff wood turners use to stablize green wood. Its available through Lee Valley.
*If you hollow out the back it will help relieve some of the stress that makes the wood crack. a lot of pillars that are cut from solid stock are bored though the center to relieve the sress as they dry they want to shrink but the inside is still "wet" and expanded so the out side tends to split . Maybe you could bore the center and then plug the ends .
*agreed, jim 1.to minimize expansion/contaction, joint separation, checking, ..., you want material that's been acclimated to the location. serious custom door and furniture makers will acclimate their material for up to 1 year. i was talking to a professional cab maker today that said he now uses his $60K kiln for storage, imagining all the beers he could have been drinking with that money.out of curiousity, where is this project taking place?have you posted this discussion topic in the woodworking section at FHB? maybe there's a messageboard at fine woodworking.brian
*Peg would be a good product for stablizing wood but choosing the right piece in the first place is even better.Why the spruce. It is not a good carving wood and with it's twisting grain, it is well known for continuing to twist throughout its life. Not to bad for joists but a mantle needs to behave. It seems as tho you're trying to take a field hand and make a valet out of him. Pine, cedar, or poplar would be the way to go.