Woodturning is said to be the safest form of woodworking, that said it can still be dangerous and care should be taken at all times

The methods and procedures I show here are what I do at the moment and feel safe doing, I am not suggesting that you should do things the same way, that is up to you, if you don’t feel safe doing it one way find another way of doing it.

Above all take care and remember if this is your hobby it is supposed to be fun so enjoy it.

There are two methods that I know of and have tried, the first is the most often used by many turners.

Weigh the item then put it in the microwave on defrost for between 45 & 60 seconds, remove and leave to cool for about an hour. When cool weigh again and repeat the microwave for another 45 or 60 seconds. Keep doing this until you have gone through 2 cycles without any weight loss, the piece is now dry.

The second way is the way I do it now but comes with the warning that it can result in more failed items than the first.

Place item in microwave on high for 5min, remove and leave to cool, job done. I have a success of about 5 good to 1 cracked using this method, I only use it on thinnish turned items.

Which ever method you use there are 3 important things to remember.

1/ Never leave the item unattended when in the microwave, and always put in on a non flammable surface when removed from the microwave.

2/ The wood will be hot so always wear gloves to handle it.

3/ DON'T use the kitchen microwave, even with permission from SWMBO, some woods stink when being dried and not only will it smell the house out it can also leave the microwave with an unpleasant smell that you cant get rid of.

 

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