Thread: Need advice on woodworking project

This is a little off topic. Sorry, but IDK who else to ask for help.

I scavenged a couple freshly cut elm logs to make a traditional kung fu dummy out of one (dunno what I planned to do with the other). I skinned the bark off b/c it's easy to do while the wood was still green, & painted the cut ends with latex paint to limit cracking.

I had them in my basement & while the smell of fresh elm was nice, they were not drying b/c there's nowhere for the moisture to go. So I moved them outside under an overhang, just in time for it to rain nonstop for 2 weeks.

They're not in the direct rain, but they both got a nice coating of mold, which I keep washing off w/bleach solution. The rain continues, I don't want to move moldy logs back into the house, & IDK what to do to save this project. Wait till the fall & sand it down to clean wood?

At this point every stupid thing I do is a band-aid over some other stupid thing I've done.

HELP!

Just let it sit outside, under cover, until you get a stretch of good weather. The mold will dry by then and you can sand it off no problem.

Typically anything that will happen will all be surface issues that a good sanding will take care of. You might get some splitting/checking when drying a section of whole log without the bark.

Originally Posted by 6Myles

Just let it sit outside, under cover, until you get a stretch of good weather. The mold will dry by then and you can sand it off no problem.

Typically anything that will happen will all be surface issues that a good sanding will take care of. You might get some splitting/checking when drying a section of whole log without the bark.

I agree with everything above. I would also add that you should make sure the log is completely out of direct sunlight as this will greatly inrease the risk for warping cracking.

It may have been better to leave the bark on it, once it thoroughly dries( 1yr) the log will have shrunk and the bark could be removed easily.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

It may have been better to leave the bark on it, once it thoroughly dries( 1yr) the log will have shrunk and the bark could be removed easily.

Probably true. I was trying to get it to dry faster by removing the bark. (that could have been one of my aforementioned stupid ideas). Cracking is not terribly alarming. All traditional mook yan jongs that are made from logs crack to some degree. You have to putty them up with wood filler, that's expected. I just want to dry it enough to put lag bolts into the bottom to attach brackets. (Unlike Wing Chun mooks, Hop Gar mooks are simple poles with no arms or legs).

I think you did right to remove the bark- it can lead to decay especially if drying outdoors. it does not prevent checking to leave it on . Painting the ends; good- what to know why latex paint is suggested? it is cheap and commonly available. heavy heavy coat(s) is best.

Another thing that is done drying wood with the heart intact is to cut a longitudinal kerf to near center, both retards checking and speeds drying.

With this particular project I do not understand the need for dry wood- hang it up and go. I think I would lag into the sides if possible but whichever.

Originally Posted by kevint

With this particular project I do not understand the need for dry wood- hang it up and go. I think I would lag into the sides if possible but whichever.

I just don't want it to crack around the bolt holes as it dries & shrinks. It was REALLY green when I got it. The bolts are going to go into the sides near the bottom, to attach L-brackets that will fasten the dummy to a flat plywood base.

I agree with everything said here - I'll just add one more thing - you should use some stickers (small pieces of wood) to lift the elm off the ground - you want good air circulation all around the piece.

Mark