Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all. I have some ebony turning blanks (woodcraft, I get a great deal) that are totally covered in wax. They will eventually become bridges. My question for you all is whether you think I should remove the wax from everywhere but the endgrain or just leave them be and sit a couple of years. I don't have a moisture meter but I can weigh them periodically to see if they are losing water weight but was interested in hearing what you all think. They may be green or very wet. Thanks.

Tommy,
as i export from Australia Waxed Turning Blanks, i can tell you its there for a reason the Blanks are Green, the Wax is there to stop the timber from cracking so just leave them as is and put them some where away from heat and if you are not an old man and in a hurry they will dry in time.
regards Robert,

Ebony is a very dense wood and its almost impossible to wait for it to dry natural before you can use it. To remove the moisture I suggest you use a microwave oven, don't cook it like a turkey! but using a short time like 3 - 5 mins with high heat depending on the amount of wood.
its good too to weigh it before each time putting in into the oven. It takes about 4 - 5 cycle before all the mositure is gone. You don't have to worry about the wood cracking becos microwave removes mositure from inside out not like the conventional drying process where drying starts from outside inward.

Jeff

Thanks guys. I think Todd got the crux of the matter. I don't plan to use it for at least 1 yr. so i'll weigh the pieces every month or so and see what happens. Thanks. By the way, a very accompished wood turner friend of mine says that the wax will slow the moisture loss but not stop it completely so, that's what I was initially concerned with. Thanks again.