Storing pen blanks

[Themackay]

Where do most of you store your pen blanks I have noticed a few of my pens have developed cracks after being indoors for a month or three I am assuming they are drying out and cracking some of the blanks are several years old so are well seasoned but stored in garage.

 

[Neil]

Probably more to do with heat generation drilling or sanding. Brazilian Tulipwood amongst others is susceptible to this and if you see a piece of snakewood and shout at it it will split.

 

[Penpal]

Normal ageing process some timbers are bullet proof others keep on shrinking. As Richard Raffan was always saying it all goes brown over the years but then that would only be bowls would it not? I do see evidence of age spliiting in my 30yr stash.When you buy blanks especially they are an unknown quantity.

Peter.

 

[Vic Perrin]

I keep mine in a little biscuit tin

Vic

 

[Themackay]

Probably more to do with heat generation drilling or sanding. Brazilian Tulipwood amongst others is susceptible to this and if you see a piece of snakewood and shout at it it will split.

I have had a few showing small splits not long afer they were finished which I put down to heat when sanding polishing but the most recent ones took monthes before they cracked

 

[Grump]

I keep mine in a shed, a dustbin outside and a pile chucked down the side of shed.
Let em split and spin what's left init?

 

[chas_41_uk]

Hmmm
Greenwood and corian out side under the car port.
Some blanks etc in the shed
Some in the back room on top of and under the dining room table
Some upstairs in the spare bedroom.

Cant think of anywhere else

 

[Twister]

snakewood

months after turning
split

Steve

 

[Grump]

snakewood

months after turning
split

Steve

It heard Neil shouting??

 

[Indie Shed]

It seems the problem is change of humidity from where it's stored and made and where it is used. There is only one logical solution, everyone must move the contents of their sheds into the front room of the house. Onwards! :luck:

 

[wm460]

Mine are in a 40+ °C tin shed.:wink:

 

[billyb_imp]

In the shed but it is dry

 

[Penpal]

I had 2000 pen blanks in the lounge room umpteen in the workshop and numerous sheds then joined penholics anonymous established a blank closed room in my workshop and most are there on a good day you can see the shelves other days I feel like Scrooge Mcduck and just sit and run them though my hands.Its dry and used to house unnumbered Aquariums in the past so the walls are covered in rails and shelves. I have tried lovely great best and out of this world separations. At the end of the month we are getting back a lot more time for ourselves looking forward to resorting and lots of turning with champagne tastes and beer money it seems the Slimline with Streamline centre bands will be my lot. For a long time I stored all new blanks in my roof found it to be incredible for stabilising my home cut blanks as well as all bought ones I hate surprises never have much movement in the blanks when turned or in my collection I am steadily giving away as finished pens there is a long line of hopefuls at Church I will never satisfy.

Peter.

 

[paulm]

Due to the structure of some woods some move after turning due to the change in stresses as you've removed parts of the wood that were holding them. I've found that most of these are burrs but by stabilising them that stops. Other ways they'll move can be as stated earlier that too much head has been applied during turning or the wood not being dry and then continuing the drying process after being taken indoors and shrinking.
Try taking the wood indoors for a few days before turning and put it in an airing cupboard even if it is dry but don't forget to seal the ends first.

 

[Nigel63]

Oh dear

It seems the problem is change of humidity from where it's stored and made and where it is used. There is only one logical solution, everyone must move the contents of their sheds into the front room of the house. Onwards! :luck:

I did mention the possibility of this at home !!!! didn't seem to go down well, maybe it was more how I said it rather than what I said. I wonder

 

[Rev.O.Lutions]

I tried to move into the spare room when No1 daughter moved out. It didn't go well. 2 years later the room is full of junk and I'm still frezing in the garage.

 

[paulm]

I tried to move into the spare room when No1 daughter moved out. It didn't go well. 2 years later the room is full of junk and I'm still frezing in the garage.

Welcome to the forum Ian, why not tell us about yourself by starting a new thread in the 'Introduce Yourself' ?

Introduce Yourself to Penturners Forum

Beware though, once you're in the door doesn't have a handle on the inside

 

[Shaver]

Just a thought on wood splitting late on. It may be worth trying the old box makers trick of part turning then storing for another couple of months before the final finish work.

Try running a smaller drill thought the blank, then leave aside for a bit to acclimatise. It should help to remove any stress in the timber.