dean wrote:
... and I was wondering if there was a way to stop them cracking and
splitting as they dry, not that its really all that important. If I
varnish it on the end, will that slow it down enough and stop it
splitting?

Its oak wood, although the wife wants me to get some pine as it would
be lighter to move around the house if necessary.


Varnishing the ends is a good idea. You can also paint it with
a thick layer of yellow glue, shellac, or my favorite, parrafin
melted in a double boiler.

This will minimize checking, as will stripping off the bark.

The worst paint to use would be latex paint. Latex paint is highly
permeable to water vapor.

--

FF