So you’ve decided to rough turn or carve a green (wet) project, and set it aside to dry. Did you realize the wood may contain over 250% more water before it is dried, depending upon it’s size and mass? Over the long period of time it may take to air dry your project, it can develop grain cracks and checks if not protected. What are checks in the wood? Well, they’re not cashable checks to take to the bank, but end grain splits that can be prevented allowing you to reap the benefits of a beautifully finished item that can be profitable! Both cracks and checks can be fixed by cutting out those areas and replacing with segmented glue-ups, but perhaps that’s not what you had in mind.
Pentacryl speeds the air drying time by 30%, because it is displacing the water
You can prevent cracks and checks with a revolutionary new wood stabilizing product called Pentacryl, that combats the negative effects of drying by displacing water and moisture in the wood fibers. Your wood will dry quicker and more evenly, and the Pentacryl residue lubricates your tools as you work. This non-toxic solution does not stain the wood or affect finishing in any manner. The recommended method of application is total immersion, but the product can also be brushed or sprayed. Compared to traditional wax such as PEG, you’ll find the drying time reduced by as much as 90% with Pentacryl. Pentacryl speeds the air drying time by 30%, because it is displacing the water. This 5-1/2″ diameter by 3″ Live Oak Bowl (below) was finish turned after only a 24 hour submersion. Pentacryl comes in quarts and gallons at your local Woodcraft store or online. Once sanded, it was completed with Odie’s Oil & Butter finish products, also available at Woodcraft.
Pentacryl Product Features:
- This non-toxic solution doesn’t stain the wood or affect finishing in any manner.
- Combats the negative effects of drying by displacing water and moisture in the wood fibers.
- The recommended method of application is total immersion, but the product can also be brushed or sprayed.
- Compared to the traditional wax coating method, you’ll find the drying time reduced by as much as 90% with Pentacryl.
- Wood will dry quicker and more evenly.
- Pentacryl speeds the air drying time by 30%.
- On average, a green 6″ x 6″ x 2″ bowl blank would absorb 2 ounces of solution, be fully saturated in a week, and, if turned thin, dry in about three weeks.
- Pentacryl residue even lubricates your tools as you work.
Check out this brief video with a live oak bowl turning as an example by Ben Bice, product development manager for Woodcraft using Pentacryl.
So don’t wait for valuable time to go by, get Pentacryl, and get productive!
auf Wiedersehen!…Frank
