Protecting Crotch Maple

[James Mittlefehldt]

I recently took a 16/4 piece of African Mahogany to a local sawyer to get it resawed into pieces more useful.

While there I noticed a piece of crotch maple in the sawyer's discard pile, with a really odd colour in the center and a nice figure. (I thought) The centre seemed a bit punky and there was some stuff that had fallen out from rot. I believe the wood is still fairly wet but I want to insure there is no more degradation of the wood. So do I seal it to stop any air penetration, or will that lock in the wet and cause further damage from within.

I planed it when I got it home and the grain is something else, really interesting, but I wonder how to deal with the centre. I should add that part of the centre has already hardened up somewhat, I assume from being out of the weather for a few days.

So seal it or let it air dry, and if I seal it what do I use? I think I will use it for a top for a box with spalted or birdseye maple front with black walnut sides, the pins of which should contrast nicely with the Maple front.

Oh one other thing the bark is still adhering really well to the sides, so seal that or remove it?

[Bob Smalser]

See the thread on the burl.

[James Mittlefehldt]

Thanks Bob, I have beeswax about and will do that tonight.

Actually I just recalled I have a finish I often use that is based on beeswax and boiled linseed oil, but without any petroleum distillates or heavy metal driers just the oil itself, would that work or is that a finish that should be held back till the wood drops some moisture content?