For all experienced turners this is nothing new, but proper drying is a skill that must be mastered in green wood turning. When I started out, I finished turned all my bowls. The result, lots of unwanted warping and cracking. While this can be desirable in some cases, most people prefer a round and crack free bowl. The first solution was to rough turn my blanks and then place them in fresh shavings. While this method worked well, I soon ran out of room and it just took too long for them to dry. Below is the box I made to hold the blanks and shavings.

 

 

One day I was driving through my neighborhood on Elmendorf AFB, and ran across this old military cooler. Right away I knew this was going to make a great homemade kiln. So I loaded it up in my truck, which was not easy because this thing was heavy. I drilled a few holes on the top, put in a 100 watt light bulb, and a small fan. This kiln reduced the drying time to just under a week in most cases. 

 

Sadly, I had to leave this behind on my last move, but I am in the process of either making a new kiln, or I might try putting my rough turned bowls in the attic. I have heard other turners do this method successfully. 

 

 

I have been experimenting with a technique that uses dishwashing soap and water to help speed drying without warping or cracking (mostly). The process has been around for a while but you don't hear much about it. Here's a pretty good article from Woodcraft explaining the process-

https://www.woodcraft.com/blog_entries/soap-in-your-bowl.

 

I've had really good success with it. After the soak, I put the piece in a bag of shavings for about a week (or longer if I forget) then finish turning. Usually there is no warping or cracking- although my last piece made a liar out of me-

 

 

Your "oven" is really nice. I need to make one to get rid of the shavings bags.

Don’t use the attic . That is urban legend. It will cause crack because too hot too long. 

 

I use shavings in paper bags for about two weeks being sure to open or change bag every couple days or risk mold. Still may get some. Usually after two weeks dump shavings and just use bag. To determine EMC I weigh twice a week to start and if prolonged that goes to once a week.

 

Now how bout those platter blanks too big for bag? Just seal the edges and put on the shelf and weight weekly

On 8/28/2020 at 11:00 AM, lew said:

I have been experimenting with a technique that uses dishwashing soap and water to help speed drying without warping or cracking (mostly). The process has been around for a while but you don't hear much about it. Here's a pretty good article from Woodcraft explaining the process-

https://www.woodcraft.com/blog_entries/soap-in-your-bowl.

 

I've had really good success with it. After the soak, I put the piece in a bag of shavings for about a week (or longer if I forget) then finish turning. Usually there is no warping or cracking- although my last piece made a liar out of me-

 

 

Your "oven" is really nice. I need to make one to get rid of the shavings bags.

Never heard of the soap method. Guess that makes sense though. Maybe I’ll give that one a try.

On 8/28/2020 at 12:01 PM, Gerald said:

Don’t use the attic . That is urban legend. It will cause crack because too hot too long. 

Yeah that makes sense. Especially down here, it’s hot!

I'm resurrecting an old thread. I'm too impatient so I microwave dry. It is fine for what I do, but if you are making $500 bowls, you probably won't go that route. I also built a drying box (kiln). I made mine out of two sheets of foam house sheathing. I just duct taped it together. I will likely use the drying box more, and the microwave less.

 

Kent Weakly at www.turnawoodbowl.com has an article on Drying Green Wood Bowls – 6 Methods For Success. In it, he talks about the drying box. Here's a pic from the article:

 

You can't see them here, but he cut vents top and bottom to facilitate airflow.

 

Thanks for bumping this up!

 Built a small drying box from a cardboard box. A 12volt computer fan running off of 5volts and a 60watt light bulb for heat. Soak for 3 days then dry until weight stabilizes. 

Great bump up indeed. I never saw this originally when it was posted! Where did Patriotwoodturning go after all?

2 hours ago, John Morris said:

Great bump up indeed. I never saw this originally when it was posted! Where did Patriotwoodturning go after all?

Not sure where he went