Crib Dam Wood

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RDH79

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Rimersburg, Pa, USA.
OK Not sure if this goes in this catagory . This might be long so bare with me.
A couple months ago I posted about a town close to me was rebuilding the dam in the creek that passes through town. I tried to get some of the wood but was told it was spoken for. Well I done a show over Christmas there and sold a few pens to a guy that was on the Dam reclamation Board. As we were talking he mentioned that they had this wood and might be interested in having some things done with it. I couldnt beleive it. So after a few phone calls I was told they were looking to sell the whole deal to a veneer company. So I thought that was that.
Yesterday I get a call from the board president and wants to give me some of the wood to possible make some pens. So this morning I met him and I returned with a 5Ft log. I cut it in half to see what it looked like. Its oak I would say. WET . Well its been under the water since 1902 I think he said.
We discussed making different styles with certificates and Limited Editions And have each pen a number in that series. They would like to have some made for the dedication of the new dam in the spring. I told him since its wet that might be pushing it.

OK so I got it home and you can see the pictures I sliced a couple slabes off.
Now the questions:
Is it possible to get some of this dry faster?? (Microwave ???)

I sliced a couple slices at about 1 in thick. Should I slice them thicked???

If I slice them I should seal the ends Correct???

OK So thats it for now I'm sure I will have follow up quesions.

Thank You Rich H.

And yes I am a terrible speller.

I couldnt wait LOML is not home so I stuck a few blanks in the microwave. HAHA
 

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Is this Blue Oak from the Rappahannoch?

There was a group buy a couple of years ago. The Friends of the Rappahannoch sold lots of blue oak and pine planks. The blanks I got had the certificate from the Friends of the Rappahannoch. I still have a few blanks in reserve, but it was my understanding all this wood was sold off. If this is blue oak, why is it still wet after being pulled from the river several years ago?
 
Wood submerged for long periods of time picks up minerals from the water and ground.

Rich; The wood is beautiful.

Microwaving will work, but DO NOT RUSH the process. You can scorch the wood or even set it on fire. And "LOML" will not be happy.
 
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RDH79 said:
No This wood was pulled from the water 4 months ago. this is from Western Pa Its from a Crib Dam on the Redbank Creek.
Click to expand...

I can't give much advice on the drying, but I can tell you from turning the Rappahannoch oak which was underwater for so long, take your time when turning. Wood which has been underwater absorbs lots of minerals and makes it nearly has hard as stone.

Good luch with your historic wood!
 
I have been slowly microwaving a few blanks. I might have to stop. Doesnt smell too good. Have to get the house aired out and microwave cleaned out before LOML gets home. Wouldn't be the first time. HAHA
 
If you have a food dehydrator, I know of people who will put their blanks in one of those to dry. Might be better than the microwave. Just turn it on a low setting and leave it for a few days.
 
I have tried drying my wet wood in a freezer, It will expain the water cells and make them burst. I bet a combination of microwave and freezing will do the trick. Freeze, Nuke, let sit. Be careful, the wood will worp due to the extreme drying process.

I'd love to get a peice and turn a hat.
Eck
 
The wood is far more likely to warp when cut to small pieces. rule of thumb is one month per 1 inch of thickness to dry. cut into 1 inch blanks so you have extra for warping and it should all be dry in 3 to 4 weeks. that is for a humid climate. It would dry out here in Nevada in a couple of weeks but splitting is a big problem with that. Give it some help such as a box warmed with a light bulb and a fan any you will get faster results. wood soaking in water also gathers bacteria. keep that in mind while working cutting or turning it. Bacteria make pretty things in wood though. Microwave it and it would be dry in 24 to 48 hours. I would still let it set and stabilize for a week or two though. Good Luck
 
Man thats some purdy wood.Did you get some documentation as too where it came from? If not see if you can signed by the Pres. of the group that took the dam down.That way you can put that with the pens also.Just thinking out loud
 
Why wouldn't a smoker grill work? Build a very small fire and put a water pan between the fire and the wood. I takes 2 days to cook a ham that way. LOL!
 
Update

Well here is an update on the drying. I had ripped a few slabs and cut them up into blanks. I dried a few in the Microwave . but that stunk up the house. So I got the food dehydrator out ( put it in the garage) and put some blanks in it. I rotated the trays a couple times a day. Its nice and black when its wet but its gray when its dry. So I have some dry and I turned a few I will post pictures when I set up the photo tent.
About the wood. I used the chain saw to rip a few slabs and the oiler hole blow off inside and I had chain oil running every where. So I just got my saw back today. Tried to rip a couple more slabs and its HARD. I am in the core of the log now and I am on my second chain. Then cutting them on the bandsaw is a task also. If I let the slabes dry a little wll it be easier to cut on the bandsaw? I have a new Grizzley 0555 and was wondering what is the biggest and best blade to use to cut this stuff. But I dont want to spend a fortune and a blade.
Well I will try and take some pictures tonight. Its been 16 months since the cancer and the esophagectomy and things are not close to normal. I do as much as I can then rest.
 
You can also dry wood by boiling it.I will have to look for the article.I am sure other people here have seen or done drying this way. Todd
 
Hi Todd Yea I have heard about boiling it. My biggest problem now is cutting the stuff. Its crazy the sparks flying when you cut it. Then you hit some softer stuff. Like grinding steel. But after I dried some it didnt seem that hard to turn.

Rich H.
 
Thanks I will let the slabs dry for awhile before I cut them into blanks. The town that this wood came from is wanting me to make pens to sell. Thats a whole topic i will be asking questions on in the near future.
 
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