On Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:19:10 -0600, James wrote
(in message ):

Bill wrote:

On 12/21/2011 11:50 AM, James wrote:


re the welded gouge... consider annealing the shaft in the area of the weld.
The softer metal will be much less likely to break at the weld. This is
usually carbon steel and gets pretty brittle around an arc weld. Annealing
may save it for you.

As for the freezing route, there are two things to consider. If the moisture
level is high enough, when the wood and water freeze, the water will expand
and could split your bowl. Lots of trees get cracks in them from this kind
of freezing action. OTOH, if the bowl does not split, just leave it in the
freezer. Ever hear of freezer burn? The moisture sublimates out of the item
in the freezer, whether wood or steak, leaving a dried surface behind. Good
for wood, not so good for steak. Some taxidermists will use freeze
sublimation on fluffy and fido for those folks who want to preserve their pet
- is cheaper than conventional taxidermy, with skinning and tanning and then
mounting on a form, etc. A bowl that is turned to a relative thin
cross-section should freeze dry nicely if it does not split.
tom koehler

--
I will find a way or make one.