Is this spalted?

[Neil McWilliams]

If you've got a Hobby Lobby in town, print off one of their 40% off one item web coupons and pick up a 5 lb block of parrafin. Outside, hold the block against the wood and play a propane flame very lightly just over the area where the parrafin is touching the wood. It doesn't take long to have a great wax seal for end grain. You can also pick up partially used candles from church for nothing...if you can stand the scent. Don't melt the wax inside on the range or on a hotplate. Parrafin burns hot if it reaches its flashpoint.

[John Daugherty]

Here's some spalted/figured maple I've been cutting into turning blanks over the last few weeks on and off. I've found that the better spalt figure tends to be toward the outside of the log. Like others have suggested, get it sealed quick! I use anchorseal.

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[Dan Masshardt]

Cool. At this point in going through and looking best spalting. There are a few dozen peices to cut into and see. I have a couple crotches to check out still.


No hobby lobby around here. I bought a gallon of anchorseal from woodcraft. Gave everything good so far two coats.

I could probably get some candles from church since I'm the pastor. ;-). Ours aren't scented though. Haha.

[Dan Hintz]

Dissolve the candles in some mineral spirits (it helps if you shred them first)... blam-o, your own Anchorseal for the cost of the spirits (no pun intended).

[Dan Masshardt]

Dan - good idea. Once this gallon runs out I may try that first. .

Although at about the price of a can of paint, I didn't find the anchorseal unreasonable.

[Dan Hintz]

If you get the candles for free, a gallon of mineral spirits will make you a couple gallons easily of sealant... really lowers the overall price per gallon.