I Wrapped This Piece of Maple in Plastic for Months Just So This Would Happen…

One of my favorite little tricks to give wood a little character, aka spalting is to wrap it up in some plastic wrap and just let it sit for a few weeks or months! Now there are a few things to keep in mind when doing this; first, this may not work on every wood, some woods may react differently or not react at all. Second, some woods may take longer to spalt. I have had some take just a few weeks and some that sat for over a year but this leads me into my last point, the wood can definitely still rot! So you better be sure to keep an eye on it throughout the process since the blank may vary in time. This is also a cheap alternative to anchor seal to preserve a bowl blank if you cannot get to turning the blank as quickly as you would like. This beautiful piece of maple has been sitting for around a month and a half. Truthfully it had probably sat a tad too long as there were some soft spots I had to carve out but overall the wood was filled with beautiful colors & spalted grain. So let me know if you have ever tried this little trick!
Lets connect!
~Carolina Grain Co.~
Website | www.carolinagr...
Instagram | / carolinagrainco
FB | / carolinagrainco
~Personal Work~
Instagram | / andrewmccarn_
TikTok | / andrewmccarn
---
My go-to finish | Receive 10% off order by using the code "carolinagrain10" (This is an affiliate)
Real Milk Paint Co Half & Half : www.realmilkpa...
Tools I stand by | No Affiliation
Laguna 18/36 : lagunatools.co...
Laguna Bed Extension : www.shop.lagun...
TB Tool Handle : trentboschtool...
C&S 5/8 Gouge : www.packardwoo...
3" Disc : vinceswoodnwon...
5" Disc : www.woodworkin...
Woodmizer Cant Hook : woodmizer.com/...

[@brendadriver2702]

I love how spalting gives so much character to wood. It’s beautiful! Thanks Andrew!

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

Very nice, a beautiful pice of wood. Another fine bowl.

[@SilverBack.]

Really nice shape Andrew

[@vivianvisser4387]

Style of the video is nice

[@jimneely4527]

Nice work.

[@spridgejuice]

that's a very beautiful bowl. couple of things - there was a great shot, a close up of the gouge cutting in from the side, which I don't think I've seen before, definitely worth experimenting with interesting camera angles anwyay... and I really like when you do voice overs, so please keep those up as well - thanks for the lovely videos, you're becoming one of my faves (as well as Richard Raffan and learn2turnwith sam)

[@joeehrlich2898]

Wow! What do you know, you can teach an old guy a new trick!! Andrew! That is so awesome, and I have never known that trick. I have been at a friends wood shop and seen that before, and they just said they didn't have any anchor seal or paint and figured that it would work. They were holding out on me! I don't know about the humidity up here in the Inland Northwest if it would spalt or rot. I have a fresh Maple down at the house now. When I get home I'm gonna cut a couple blanks out and give it a go.!! Thanks for the tip!! Especially thank you, sir, for another informative, interesting, creative video. I know it takes a lot of work and time to make these for us, and I just want you to know we appreciate you and your art! You have a great eye and talent! I would love to see you reach a couple hundred subscribers! I look forward to your next video, my friend!

[@royunderwood7514]

Beautiful piece. I really liked your reveal shots at the end of the video. Great work.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I've been messing around with some new shots so glad you liked them!

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Beautiful bowl Andrew.

[@rockallred658]

Great video and an amazing bowl. Thanks,

[@iamwad2216]

Another gorgeous bowl!

[@ArtisticEndeavors]

You make some beautiful stuff! ✌🏻🎨☕️

[@andrewmccarn]

I really do appreciate that!

[@jonathanmangold5024]

Wish we lived in the same town. Like to come hang out and watch you work.

[@stanbreda7222]

Another stunning piece!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!!

[@MarykateMcCarn]

I’m so proud of you and all the work you put into these videos

[@andrewmccarn]

I really appreciate that Mrs McCarn!

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Beautiful

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks James!

[@Ken.norwood2]

I have a bowl very similar to that

[@johnnyho900]

I’ve seen a bowl turned similar to that.

[@andrewmccarn]

Its definitely a traditional and beautiful shape for a natural edge bowl; perfect design to let the grain be the focus!

[@JamesCouch777]

Wild 👌

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks James!

[@RM131313]

Very nice. Is this piece for sale on your website?

[@andrewmccarn]

It will be in September! I have a shop update that will be just for natural edge bowls and this one should be included in that one!

[@RM131313]

@@andrewmccarn excellent. I’ll look out for the update. Keep up the great work. Very creative stuff.

[@perrys5954]

Awe man that was really beautiful!! Do you ever throw in some shavings from spalted wood with the blank to help introduce the 'spalting fungus' to the piece? Or does the spalting often just need no introduction. I recently came into some Maple its currently very wet and the wood (though the tree was dead) almost looks like its bleeding in spots deep inside the wood. I'm excoted to have it but feeling lost as how to make the best of this 'gift' as I don't often come by 'hardwood' to turn. I'm a newbie so don't know where to begin but guessing I'll just process it down into blanks and wrap in plastic with some and anchor seal others. Is there any benefit at all to leaving larger log sections or should I make blanks asap?

[@ctfddftba]

If you roughed out the bowl shape (like at 3:15) from green wood and wrapped it, would it spalt?

[@marioduchesne1564]

I ,why do you wrap the piece....tks

[@matthewglidden8842]

That’s a beauty but miss the talks as well

[@harveypflugerh5901]

Nice bowl but I miss the commentary.

[@joeblow7489]

Andrew, you’ve gotta stop showing off like that! 😂 just kidding. Beautiful piece. Beautiful video. I’ve got some questions. Your methods are similar to mine. What kind of scraper are you using. How long do you really spend sanding? Inquiring minds want to know. I know this was more an art video of your art being created but next time you do a talking video these are the things I’d like. To know. Thanks!

[@andrewmccarn]

Haha I appreciate the compliments! I use a 3/4 inch scraper that I have rounded over the edge more to give it a steeper profile. And typically I can sand a bowl in around 15 minutes or so minutes. Just depends on the size and if its natural edge or not. For the past few months I have been wet sanding with 80 grit mesh sandpaper after the initial turning and that saves me a ton of time when I go to do the finish sanding. Im really considering doing a complete walk through of how I turn a bowl from start to finish so if I do that, then that info will definitely be in that! I think that could be fun lol

[@David-rx2uh]

You must grow massive fruit in your neck of the woods. That is a huge fruit bowl.