Sterilizing bowl blanks - getting out the bugs, fungus, etc.

[Rick M]

Unless you buy all your blanks undoubted some will have something alive in the wood whether it's termites, beetles, or spalting fungus. I'm concerned about these things and I don't want them sprayed all over me or the shop while turning. I don't want to soak in DNA because that would get expensive pretty quickly. So I'm wondering about the effectiveness of soaking in soap/water. Also wondering about fumigating, maybe sealing them in a bucket with some bug spray or other poison but then I'm concerned about long term contamination of the wood. Basically looking for guidance here.

 

[Berta]

I have found creatures in logs being hollowed out for my crafty projects. I do spray with bug spray and seal in a plastic garbage bag for a couple weeks. Then I take it out and let it air out for a couple weeks in the shop before using it. Not saying its right, just what I do.

 

[Roy G]

If you put anything on the blank and then put it in a plastic bag, you will for sure get mold and mildew growing on it. I wouldn't worry about bugs, but wear a mask if you're concerned about fungus. You won't have to worry about dust if you're turning green wood.

Roy G

 

[Rick M]

Actually I was more concerned about using the bowls for food but I've been given two sources that basically say not to worry about it. One was a Fine Woodworking article from 1996, the other from the Dept of Agriculture. My other concern was giving someone a bowl and a termite or beetle burrowing out of it.

 

[Roy G]

If I turn a blank that has evidence of beetles in it, I usually put a little thin CA on each bug hole. You can sand some to fill in the hole a little. Then I finish sanding and put on the finish. Never had a critter crawl out.

Roy G

 

[FredP]

the micro-wave is you're friend. 3-4 minutes on high. let cool rinse and repeat a few times. if the blank is too big you can cook it in the oven. not sure about time and temp but i bet scsmith can help with that.

 

[farmerbw]

I put ornament and game piece "cookies" in the oven, usually around 160 to 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes since they're only around 1/2" thick. I've put trunk and limb pieces in at that temp for 30-45 minutes, depending on the circumference and length, or until I think it's gotten to the set temperature the whole way through. Anything bigger than will fit in the stove I guess you could make a solar kiln that they would fit in. I have put some trunk pieces I used for table legs in our deep freezer for a little over a week, but seems I recall reading somewhere that cold wouldn't kill some insect larvae. :eusa_thin

MTCW, HTH

Brian.

 

[SGalley]

2000 rpm takes care of bugs. I turn outside though

 

[Roy G]

There's nothing quite like the feeling of turning through a beetle larva. Makes an interesting spatter pattern on your shirt.

Roy G

 

[joec]

I have a concern with some air dried QS Sycamore that I bought about three days after the squirrels left the branches. I will be using it this winter after two years drying. I hate to use it and worry about bugs etc. Scott Smith told me about an article in Fine Woodworking about how to sterilize wood by building a box out of rigid insulation and heating the wood up, over a couple of days, to a temp that will kill all larvae. I have not been able to find the article. Anyone know of this? I also can take it to a kiln and have them do it, but it is not a big pile of lumber.