I recently cut some blanks from a downed Ash tree. I have 8 blanks. The wood
is still moist and green. What I did is sprayed the blanks with water and
put them in a garbage bag and tied a knot in it to keep it fairly sealed.
What I want to know is if it is OK to do this say for a month or so till I
start turning some bowls or will I have a moldy mess on my hands? I am just
going to start learning how to turn bowls. I have no lathe experience at
all. Thanks for your help.

Hi Dave

Yes you should be OK having the bowl blanks in a plastic bag, you will
get some wet mold on the outside, some woods do stain easier, but with
most woods that is not a problem, just wipe it off and turn it, as long
as you don't wait to long, there is no problem.

I do store some chunks that way, biggest problem is not to forget about
them, or you can get some real ugly wood, but sometimes you do get nice
spalting, just not so in my experience.

If you are not able to turn it in the say the next 3 months, then I
would take it out of the bags by that time, and seal the whole blanks
with wood sealer.

All this storage is out of the sun and rain and draft, and up off the
dirt, cool is better also.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo


Dave wrote:
I recently cut some blanks from a downed Ash tree. I have 8 blanks. The wood
is still moist and green. What I did is sprayed the blanks with water and
put them in a garbage bag and tied a knot in it to keep it fairly sealed.
What I want to know is if it is OK to do this say for a month or so till I
start turning some bowls or will I have a moldy mess on my hands? I am just
going to start learning how to turn bowls. I have no lathe experience at
all. Thanks for your help.

Dave wrote:
I recently cut some blanks from a downed Ash tree. I have 8 blanks. The
wood
is still moist and green. What I did is sprayed the blanks with water
and
put them in a garbage bag and tied a knot in it to keep it fairly
sealed.
What I want to know is if it is OK to do this say for a month or so till
I
start turning some bowls or will I have a moldy mess on my hands? I am
just
going to start learning how to turn bowls. I have no lathe experience at
all. Thanks for your help.


Better would be to submerge the pieces in a plastic barrel of water until
you turn them. They will essentially stay just as they are when you put
them in the water. Well, maybe they might be a little more water-logged!!
But you can leave them for a long time.
Might be better if you put them in paper (not plastic) bags, and fold the
top over. This will keep the air from flowing over the pieces and drying
them out too fast. By doing this, the pieces should not crack (keep your
fingers crossed) and would not be sopping wet when you turn them.
Your choice.

Regards, James Johnson