I managed to get a birch log (in Colorado).

I've got several pieces prepared for natural edge turning and the
question is not only how to keep the bark on but without coloring it. I
did one piece and near the end the normally white outer bark had
yellowed. I did not think that the CA glue I had used would color the
bark in that way but I guess it did.

William
Good luck. I find that the bark stays on a piece because it stays on a
piece. I have heard and tried all the advice
1) only cut towards the direction of holding the bark on
2) cut the log in winter
3) glue it with some CA while turning
4) do not glue with CA while turning
5) turn it green
6) turn it dry
My general response is to try it a lot and some of the pieces keep the bark
and some do not. As far as the white birch turning dark in the bark, most of
that will be oxidation or the finish used or both. If you get it done before
oxidation, a clear water based finish should help keep the color for quite a
while. Eventually it oxidises especially if it is in sunlight. The change in
color is what helos keep this fun.

______
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS, Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com

On Oct 5, 4:39*pm, william kossack wrote:
.. *I did not think that the CA glue I had used would color the
bark in that way but I guess it did.

In my experience, using CA to keep bark on will work if the wood was
cut when the sap was not "running" (ie winter, late fall). Light
colored woods are usually stained by CA. This can be avoided or at
least lessened significantly by sealing prior to using the adhesive:
Deft (gloss or semigloss-it does not seem to make a difference) or
shellac will work. Get close to your final form, slop on the sealer
with a paper towel, allow to dry and then use the CA, make your finish
cuts and sand. Keeping bark on is always a bit dicey and prayer never
hurts! Hope this helps

Kip Powers
Rogers, AR

problem is there is no telling when during the year the log was cut but
I could not pass up a large crotch of birch with a main trunk splitting
into 3 branches.

Kip wrote:

On Oct 5, 4:39�pm, william kossack wrote:
. �I did not think that the CA glue I had used would color the

bark in that way but I guess it did.


In my experience, using CA to keep bark on will work if the wood was
cut when the sap was not "running" (ie winter, late fall). Light
colored woods are usually stained by CA. This can be avoided or at
least lessened significantly by sealing prior to using the adhesive:
Deft (gloss or semigloss-it does not seem to make a difference) or
shellac will work. Get close to your final form, slop on the sealer
with a paper towel, allow to dry and then use the CA, make your finish
cuts and sand. Keeping bark on is always a bit dicey and prayer never
hurts! Hope this helps

Kip Powers
Rogers, AR