The lowdown on Spalted

[clowman]

Can someone give me the lowdown on spalted stock? How does something become spalted? Is it a natural process, can you force it? What exactally is spalted? I have seen pictures, and I assume it's those little black lines in the stock. Someone please set me straight, so I at least sound like I know what I am doing here..

 

[cskipper]

See if this discussion helps:

http://ncwoodworker.net/forums/showthread.php?t=705

 

[Monty]

Spalting is just rotting. If you let the process go too far, you'll have an unusable log. Even spalting to the degree that you see in the link posted above softens the wood pretty significantly in places.

Here, check out this link: Spalted Wood

 

[Steve D]

It may be covered in those other links but a good respirator is a good idea too as the dust can be hazardous.

 

[Gillie]

Avoid it. Unhealthy.