Good morning all,
I have a large cache of exotics from Peru and have found that they are still very wet. They were shrink wrapped and shipped here at least a year ago and when I remove the plastic wrap they begin checking and splitting within a day or so. Some have been cut into rounds(in my shop) and anchorsealed and they are holding up well. I want to make a croquet set for a friends X-mas gift and I don't have the luxury of time to let then season naturally. I called a local hardwood supplier for info on kiln drying and they suggested that exotics have a tendency to split when kiln dried and mentioned that some turners have had success with drying in a microwave. My thoughts were to rip the blocks into 1" or narrower stock, dry, then glue together for the big finish. Any suggestions from all you experts out there? I still haven't finished his X-mas present from two years ago, so I would like to be more timely this year!! Thanks for your help. John.