A way to dry wood without cracking , is something all woodworkers , should have in mind . When i began my woodworking “life” and i didn’t know anything for many things ( ok for all things!! ) , i did so many mistakes .

Learning Woodworking , by making Mistakes gives you Happiness too .

This has its beauty . Learning from making mistakes . You learn your “lesson” in a primary level , so you make it instantly a useful experience , till the end of your life .

So those “early” days the only thing that i had in my mind , was to grab my saw , go to the forest and nature and search for the ideal piece of wood , for my woodworking plans . So simple , so “magical” .

Begin with a Simple Wooden Stick for your Forest Walks .

One of my first projects , before my small tables and seats from log parts , was to create a very nice and beautiful wooden stick , for my forest walks .

So what is the simpler way to make a wooden stick , from search it in the forest , find the tree you like for your stick , cut the branch in the size you want and your “job” is done . Correct ? Not exactly .

You cut your wood branch , but you must dry it correctly , if you want your stick or wooden log , don’t have cracks from the drying process !!!

The wood when it dries and releases the moisture it has inside to the atmosphere , its surface cracks . I’m sure you all have seen wooden surfaces with tiny or not cracks .

Dry your wood Slowly , than fast .

This means that the wood dried faster than it should and its surface couldn’t “absorve” the changes in the shape of the wood , so it cracks to “adapt” and be more stable .

So what can you do for your wooden log , branch or whatever , in order to avoid these cracks ?

First of all you dont leave your cut wooden piece to dry in the sun directly . never . The sun will make the drying process , very fast and the cracks are certainty . If it is summer , store your wood in a shadow place with the lowest possible temperature . A warehouse , a wine cellar , something like that .

Never Remove the wood’s peel .

After that you should never peel off the side part of your wood . No matter if you like it better without the peel , don’t do it . You’ll do it after the drying of the wood . The peel makes the drying process slower and we want that .

But we have a problem in the two sides of the wood , the cutting sides . From these two sides the drying process is faster , than the sides of the wood , which are covered with the peel .

Paint color & parafin can make the drying Slower .

We want to reduse the drying in these 2 sides , and make them drying equal ( as possible ) , to the peel sides . What can we do ?

We buy if we haven’t in our house , a small box with paint color and we paint these 2 sides !!!!!!

Yes we use the paint for our house walls , to cover the 2 free sides , so they won’t dry as fast , as they want !!!!

Some people are using paraffin , to paint the 2 surfaces and it is the same , but i suppose paint is more easy to find . This is it . Your wood part is ready to stay in its “nest” and dry easily and correctly for a couple of months .

Another great material for these painting to slower the drying , is linseed oil .

Many professionals use it and if you want to see more for this great natural finishing oil , go HERE .

The drying process needs time , patience and it isn’t a quick process . Cover your woods with an old blanket or something and and leave the rest to nature . From time to time , take a look to see how the process is going .

Keep Woodworking .