Detergent Soaking?

[Lance]

In rec.crafts.woodturning I read a post about brushing green(wet) blanks with a 50/50 mix of concentrated dishwashing detergent and water. A bloke named Ron Kent does this, more information is available on his website http://www.ronkent.com/rontech.html

Apparently Ron wrote an article on this technique in Woodturning Magazine (UK) Issue No 88 (there is a reference to this in the current issue No 93).

Has anyone tried this http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif ?

Regs,
Lance

[This message has been edited by Lance (edited 16 January 2001).]

[MJ]

Lance - what does the detergent do to the wood? I've heard of people trying to induce spalting with fatty products like milk, but don't know how successfully. Is this the same thing?

[Lance]

Hi MJ,
Not for spalting, the detergent water mix apparently stabilises the timber, helps to reduce checking and acts as a lubricant. I soaked some Blackheart Sassafras (dry) overnight a few days ago and it turned very well. I was impressed (I have never turned wet timber before) long shavings, easy turning. I will have to try some more. I just have to see how it goes when drying (warping, checking).

Cheers,
Lance

[burlturner]

I have several pieces of your goldfield burl that I'm trying to dry. I thought I would try Ron Kents ideas on detergent drying. While I have'nt done it long enough to access most of the benefits he claims I have found one problem. My burls dry in bags and I periodically check them for small cracks and I normally glue them with CA glue when I see them. However after immersion in the detergent solution the glue will not penetrate the crack and seal it. Even when the crack occurs after immersion. Has anyone else tried this?