I stumbled across this article on a guy's website here: http://www.ronkent.com/techniques.php

I haven't tried this  solution yet, but I'm going to.

 

His goal was to pickup a piece of green wood, turn it, sand it and finish it within a day or two without unsightly cracks occurring

 

Some goal I'm thinking.

 

He says (from the web Page) :

"I went to Costco and purchased four half gallon containers of the magic elixir along with a sturdy plastic storage bin of sufficient size to hold the mixture and some bowl blanks. Upon arrival at home, I emptied the detergent into the container and added an equal amount of water. From then on, I would take primarily green wood and rough turn in one day, soak overnight, and finish the next day. Sometimes I didn't finish it on the second day and left it mounted on the lathe overnight and sometimes for a several days. Surprise! They didn't crack! I have since taken green wood, rough turned it, soaked it about four hours and then finish turned it and finished it in one day. In the six to eight months I have been using this technique, I haven't had one bowl crack. A few had a bit of movement, but it was very slight. I have used the following woods: black walnut, vine maple, maple, oak (kiln dried), yew, honey locust, fruiting cherry, birch, plum, apple. "

 

 

 

He uses an amber dish soap concentrate that he gets from CostCo branded Kirkland

I'll need to find some one with a CostCo card,  or just go web surfing for amber dish soap concentrate.

 

He dilutes the soap concentrate 1 - 1 with water.  He's tried Alcohol but thinks it's too expensive to justify it.

 

 

He cuts his green wood to about an inch thick and starts treating it with the soap

 

He claims the shavings are much improved and cut quality s better

 

He says that it does not interfere with his oil soak  & sand in Varathane  finishing regimen  and that it makes sanding better.

 

The whole time I'm reading this I'm thinking that it just has to interfere with his finishes but he says it  doesn't.  There's even a sort of scientific explanation for why the solution works and at $7.00 a gallon it's a lot cheaper than the stuff they sell for the job.

 

Check it out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm gonna have to try this!  Have to find a Costco's. We just got a new BJ's store here so maybe they will have it.

That's genius, thanks for the link and find Cliff, I am definitely going to try it.