[John-Boy]

Is it totally necessary to dry a natural fork completely before sealing, and if so how long does it take? and are there any tips on this?

 

[NaturalFork]

Is it totally necessary to dry a natural fork completely before sealing, and if so how long does it take? and are there any tips on this?

It is good practice. You could always do the boiling or microwave method.

 

[harpersgrace]

I always use downed wood so I never have to worry about long drying times.... The few times I've wanted to dry something quickly I have used the micro method....I believe it's best to have the fork as drie aswell as possible.

 

[John-Boy]

cool, how long do you zap it for?? my first natural was a downer so this is new to me!!

 

[jmplsnt]

I'm in with Harpersgrace. I used downed limbs 99% of the time and dry them for a minimum of 6 months before doing anything with them. I like to cut them long so when I feel they are ready I can cut a small amount off the end, let it sit for a few days, then look for checking. If there are no cracks then my project is a go.

Using the oven-baking method people are cutting the fork live and shooting it later the same day in some circumstances. Plus they can shape them perfectly, which I find extremely attractive.

 

[John-Boy]

I'm in with Harpersgrace. I used downed limbs 99% of the time and dry them for a minimum of 6 months before doing anything with them. I like to cut them long so when I feel they are ready I can cut a small amount off the end, let it sit for a few days, then look for checking. If there are no cracks then my project is a go.

Using the oven-baking method people are cutting the fork live and shooting it later the same day in some circumstances. Plus they can shape them perfectly, which I find extremely attractive.

If i used it for 6months would it be an issue? then finish it after 6 months.

 

[baumstamm]

u can use it, no problem but when the wood dryes it shrink slowly, so take care that the bands can´t slip out, there is a chance that the fork get some cracks on the end, so seal the ends if possible ore better let them longer and cut them later when u finish the fork.

 

[harpersgrace]

you can find basic instructions here
http://slingshotforum.com/topic/196-update-on-microwave-drying/page__p__819__hl__microwave__fromsearch__1#entry819

 

[John-Boy]

Cheers guys for the info, i have made the handle extra large so i guess i could trim that down in time, but as for the forks

 

[harpersgrace]

Well as long as the splits don't damage the structure you can always fill them with some epoxy mixed with a little saw dust....