Hello all,

 

I bought some wood on Etsy; it arrives coated in a very heavy coat of wax.  OK, that's good, however, I see black under the wax that is not common on the wood.  Turns out it is mold, and the wood is so wet that it is throwing water on me as I turn it.  The wax would all have to be removed and a great deal of time would be required to allow the wood to dry properly.

 

I bought several pieces like this and returning it may not be an option due to it was free to ship to me, but to return it with the weight it would be expensive for me to do so.  I am looking for comments, suggestions on if I should complain or not (will it do any good?).

 

I already know what I have to do, (suck it up buttercup, cut off the top wax layer and let it dry) but was wondering if anyone has seen this and what you did in the circumstances.

 

Thanks, Nevin

 

IMO...

 

This would almost identical to turning a freshly cut log. I would turn it without removing the wax- let the tools do that for you. You have a couple of options:

1. rough turn it, seal it with your favorite bowl sealer- mine is old Titebond glue- let it dry slowly over time.

2. turn it to the finished thickness and let it air dry. It will warp but that is what some folks like

3. rough turn it, seal the end grain and dry it in a kiln/warming box- @forty_caliber has a really nice kiln build

This next one is what I would do-

rough turn it, soak it in a soap and water solution- look up Ron Kent or Ernie Conover for the formula- after soak put it in a kiln/warming box until the weigh stabilizes. I usually soak for 3 days then into my warming box. Depending on the size (thickness) it usually is ready for final turning in less than 3 weeks.

I think Lew hit on the solution. If you remove wax the mold may spread . Drying the blank may induce cracking nut a turned piece is less like to.

 

Possibly the mold was introduced by a scratch in the wax coat.

Denatured alcohol soak is my preferred method.  I weigh it when it comes out of it's bath and know it is dry when it stops losing weight.  Usually in a little as a week.

 

https://woodshopmike.com/denatured-alcohol-drying/

What Lew and/or Dan said.

10 hours ago, lew said:

IMO...

 

This would almost identical to turning a freshly cut log. I would turn it without removing the wax- let the tools do that for you. You have a couple of options:

1. rough turn it, seal it with your favorite bowl sealer- mine is old Titebond glue- let it dry slowly over time.

2. turn it to the finished thickness and let it air dry. It will warp but that is what some folks like

3. rough turn it, seal the end grain and dry it in a kiln/warming box- @forty_caliber has a really nice kiln build

This next one is what I would do-

rough turn it, soak it in a soap and water solution- look up Ron Kent or Ernie Conover for the formula- after soak put it in a kiln/warming box until the weigh stabilizes. I usually soak for 3 days then into my warming box. Depending on the size (thickness) it usually is ready for final turning in less than 3 weeks.

I will rough cut it, this boxelder is very soft and hold water like a sponge.  It will take time.  I just need to exercise patience.  Thank you for your suggestions.  I will follow them.  I appreciate your comments.

 

Nevin