Wsurfer
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2013
- Location
- Austin Texas
Hi all,
I've machined a lot of metal, but just started doing some wood. I made and aluminum trey with a wood sleeve that slides around the metal to contain the contents. All came out great. I live in a humid environment (Austin Texas). The box worked beautifully until we had a dry front blow through the dropped the humidity for a week. My wood sleeve shrunk so much, I couldn't get the sleeve off the box. As soon as the humidity returned, the sleeve worked fine again. Sure I could machine more material away for more clearance, but the degree of shrinkage/expansion is so great, I'm afraid the fit would get very sloppy in those humid condition.
Are there any methods to "stabilize" the wood post machining ?. The wood I've used is mesquite and Granadillo. When I purchased the wood, the vendor stated the wood was already "cured" etc. Would soaking in hot oil or anything seal the cellulose and prevent growth/shrinkage ?.
Thanks in advance
Matt
I've machined a lot of metal, but just started doing some wood. I made and aluminum trey with a wood sleeve that slides around the metal to contain the contents. All came out great. I live in a humid environment (Austin Texas). The box worked beautifully until we had a dry front blow through the dropped the humidity for a week. My wood sleeve shrunk so much, I couldn't get the sleeve off the box. As soon as the humidity returned, the sleeve worked fine again. Sure I could machine more material away for more clearance, but the degree of shrinkage/expansion is so great, I'm afraid the fit would get very sloppy in those humid condition.
Are there any methods to "stabilize" the wood post machining ?. The wood I've used is mesquite and Granadillo. When I purchased the wood, the vendor stated the wood was already "cured" etc. Would soaking in hot oil or anything seal the cellulose and prevent growth/shrinkage ?.
Thanks in advance
Matt