I chanced to watch a yall-tube turning video by a novice turner and found this idea. I tried it Friday afternoon on a 10" maple bowl which I took from fresh cut tree to the lathe within an hour. I roughed it and left only a 5/8" wall thickness.
This method reduced the % moisture meter readings from 38 heartwood / 45 sapwood down to 6 heartwood / 15 sapwood after 24 hours. Distortion was within turnable limits and no cracks appeared.
Since I'm way behind on roughing and drying for Christmas gifts, I plan to use this idea for a load of cherry I picked up last spring. Those bowls will be 12" to 16" and I plan to leave the walls thicker than recommended.
I don't necessarily agree with his turning or finishing tools and methods. If you want go right to the drying method, start watching the video at 15:00 and continue until about 20:00. Give it a try with your next green utility bowl. I think you will find the results pretty interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6quzSzrMs8
This method reduced the % moisture meter readings from 38 heartwood / 45 sapwood down to 6 heartwood / 15 sapwood after 24 hours. Distortion was within turnable limits and no cracks appeared.
Since I'm way behind on roughing and drying for Christmas gifts, I plan to use this idea for a load of cherry I picked up last spring. Those bowls will be 12" to 16" and I plan to leave the walls thicker than recommended.
I don't necessarily agree with his turning or finishing tools and methods. If you want go right to the drying method, start watching the video at 15:00 and continue until about 20:00. Give it a try with your next green utility bowl. I think you will find the results pretty interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6quzSzrMs8