stabalising wood?

[badgeringtim]

Im sure i have seen this mentioned on here, the use of salt water to stabalise wood, but cant seem to find anty reference using the search - so if anyone can inform me id be very gratefull.

I take it that you take a carved project - spoon Kuska etc and boiling it in salted water and this would strengthen the wood, to do with salt disolving and penetrating the wood surface and thereby adding density when it dries out?

Is this the general gist - if so how much salt boiled for how long and does if affect the colour and taint food ..?

Or have i completely got it wrong?

 

[Stanleythecat]

I'm no expert but my understanding is that salt is hydroscopic. By impregnating the wood with salt it slows the drying process; salt draws moisture from its surroundings, reducing the potential for splitting.

Leo

 

[smoggy]

I think you may well be "brark"ing up the wrong "tree".........

If you boil it you'll be softening the wood, surely!

Immersing hte wood in salt maybe, which may work as Stanleythecat mentions.......

I'd have thought there would be better, easier, more sutable methods to achieve what you require, as I'd have thought that the salt would ultimately be etrimental to the wood!

Then again I'm not an expert here, so someone may be along and enlighten us otherwise!

Smoggy.

 

[Colin.W]

boiling wood only softens it whilst the wood is still hot for example to straighten or put a bend where needed (think walking stick makers) once cooled and dried the wood regains its former strength

 

[Harmony]

The salt is absorbed into the wood cells and makes it hygroscopic.

The wood will draw moisture.

As you boil the wood in brine it will change specific
gravity and sink.

Slow dry the wood.

Harmony

 

[Colin.W]

I have never heard of using salt to stabilise wood but I have some interesting pieces of drift wood that are nicely dried out without cracks

 

[brancho]

Salt water is used to seaon wood rapidly which is why some mass produced kuksa's tatse salty.
Stabilising wood (or bone antler tooth etc) usually means impregnating with polymers.

 

[badgeringtim]

So it doesnt actually make it any harder?
Fair enough i shant bother then!



Thanks all - very interesting

 

[brancho]

So it doesnt actually make it any harder?
Thanks all - very interesting

Look HERE for an explanation