Woodturning - Wet Turning - How To

In this latest installment of Tips and Techniques I'll show the process I use to get near perfect success in my wet turnings.

[@carlylemiller4735]

So many woodturning videos and almost none dealing with the dreaded cracks. This was well done and very informative, Kevin. Thanks

[@JohnJones-tg6rn]

Kevin I initially watched your video because you are using a lathe just like the one I just purchased used. I am a newly, just starting out. I learned a lot from the video, the best I have seen about green wood. I saw you were running the lathe at the slowest speed and some have commented that the slowest speed is too fast for large peaces. You debunked that in this video. I am super excited to get started and want to watch more of your work. All good sound and logical insightful advice.

[@phillipleroy1452]

OK Kevin , it's time to step back up to bat. I'm disabled, but can get around some, but there are millions of people who live vicariously through the works of men like you. Put that saw back on your shoulder and that skew in your hand... You and your contemporaries mean a lot to people.

[@julieseatter5775]

Blessings Kevin from a beginner turner. You must be the calmest most humorous, and kind hearted turner on youtube. I kindly thank you for sharing your valuable secrets and tips as without people like you I would never have taught myself how to turn. I can manage a small chainsaw, but I am no butch woman so I am just starting off on small bowls first and having more green wood than dry so this is really helpful for me. I must add there were a few tears in my eyes when I watched your video on turning Maddie's urn, very moving. I am a Canine Behaviourist in NZ and have 30 years experience dealing with dogs so I know how they touch and reward our hearts so much. I wish you and your family good health and happiness and may another young pup be there for you when you are ready again. Much Love Julie

[@kevinkrull5483]

Julie Seatter I'm quite humbled by your kind words Julie, sincerely. I'm glad to hear that you're self taught just like I am. The pioneer turners on KZbin definitely helped the learning curve by giving great tips and inspiration. I'm also glad to hear that you turn green wood. A lot of turners fear the different aspects associated with it. The processing of the logs being one. I know in this video I used my gas chainsaw, but most of my general cutting is done with my small, lightweight, electric chainsaw. So don't feel bad! And thank you so much about Maddy's video. She was such a special pup. I've never met an animal that touched me the way she did, I think you can tell. One day another pup will make it into my heart. Your chosen field must be very rewarding to you. You're very lucky to work with dogs in the capacity that you do. May you be blessed! Thank you, Kevin

[@MikeWaldt]

Great to see you back again Kevin, and with a video packed with good, sound, and useful advice. Some beautiful pieces on display there matey, especially the star of this video :) Looking forward to many more. Take care Mike

[@kevinkrull5483]

Mike Waldt Hey Mike, I'm back... for now at least. Hopefully there will be more! We'll see what tomorrow brings. As a fellow KZbin "teacher", I'm glad you liked/approved of my "how to". Unfortunately, I haven't had much time for being socially connected with all the great people I've met here, let alone time or energy for much turning. I've been thinking of doing a short update video to explain what's going on... we'll see. Keep on keeping on Mike, you're doing a great job and you're a great friend, Kevin

[@yuvallahav]

Dang, watched this a couple of days ago in the middle of the night as it came out, but as I was done, I got distracted, by life, and I forgot to comment!! good thing I like to re watch good videos ;) Wonderful to see your videos again Kevin, and man, what a video! cramming a really broad subject into 26 minutes while touching each point, showing the bad things along with the good, man, that was some video to learn from, I'm glad to see we both learned from the same teacher, youtube, and have the same tricks up out sleeves, but what a process you took us through, well done my friend, and again, good to see you back!!

[@kevinkrull5483]

Yuval Lahav When I was editing this video down, I was quite amazed I was able to do it in 26 minutes! I'm glad you were able to tolerate watching the video twice!! LOL - just joking!! Thanks for the great complements Yuval, it means a lot to me. And yes, KZbin is a great teacher, I've learned how to do so many thing from other peoples videos. It's great how we can share our knowledge and be a source of inspiration to others with these videos. Until next time my friend... Have a good one, Kevin

[@tonyp1779]

Great tips, good job! Thanks!

[@thomasckuzia7129]

Hi Kevin, Thanks for a great video! I've been having trouble with my green wood turnings checking and splitting and now I know how to remedy my problems!!! You do some awesome pieces and I hope some day I can too! Tom

[@AndysCornishCreations]

split the log - check shape with chainsaw - check turn back then put in bag - check hollow out and bag - check sand and bag - check apply finish - check check for checks - check NO CHECKS---------YEAHHH Nice one Kevin All the best.......Andy.

[@kevinkrull5483]

Andy Paramore Thanks for the laugh! I got a real kick out of it!! lol YEAHHH...Kevin

[@trurex007lee7]

Great tips, thanks

[@ArcticFlies56]

Beautiful work. I just started to turn some bowls with the bark top. Everyone seems to love them. The rustic look is a winner. Sorry about your loss. It's always hard when your dog dies. Been there too many times. Glad to see you're back at it. Best regards.

[@kevinkrull5483]

Richard Katzman They definitely are winners Richard! Most people have never seen them and can't figure out how they're made. And thank you about my pup Maddy, I still miss her. Have a good one, Kevin

[@anklebiterwoodworks2818]

Very cool. Thanks for the tips. Those will definitely come in handy!

[@kevinkrull5483]

+AnkleBiter Woodworks Hey Scott, I'm glad you were able to find some useful info in the video. Hopefully you'll put it to use on some great turnings! Thanks again, Kevin

[@teamwild_UK]

Thanks Kevin. I had given up turning green wood but I think I'll give it another go now that I'm armed with your tips and tricks. Cheers, Ben

[@kevinkrull5483]

TeamWild I hope you do Ben! Green wood is my favorite to turn... it can become yours too! Thanks and have a good one, Kevin

[@jlf1430]

Thank you for the reality check. not all wood is perfect... Appreciate your hard work..

[@kevinkrull5483]

J Fenter Nicely put J!! And I appreciate your appreciation... sincerely! Have a good one, Kevin

[@JamesRousseaux]

Great tips. 😊 👍 Thank you for sharing.

[@Lee-qp6gf]

Hey Kevin, Are you around anymore? Hope you are well and see you on the tube again. Lee

[@ronb5781]

Always enjoy your videos!! Thanks for the tips and your talents... Have a safe weekend!!!!

[@kevinkrull5483]

Ron B As always, much appreciated Ron!! Mine was safe, hope yours was also! Have a good one, Kevin

[@JamesWise-di8zc]

A very informative video Kevin. And as a newbie turner, I can use a bunch of information. Thanks!

[@kevinkrull5483]

James Wise Thanks James, I hope the info works out well for you! Best of luck, Kevin

[@travissmith7471]

Thanks a million times... Very motivating video...

[@T34ajhr]

Beautiful work and excellent tips and teaching; sorry for the loss of your furr child; hurts badly I know...ty for sharing with us.

[@ianchappell4199]

Love the bowl. Would not think to use Danish oil. Great tips Kevin to use here in the UK......

[@jamesgoodin905]

I'm trying your method and it is working. Thank you.

[@kevinkrull5483]

+James Goodin Wow, glad to hear it James!!! Happy to know I was able to share some useful info. Best of luck with your turnings and have a good one - Kevin

[@jean-marclabonte2844]

I have had a few concerns about the wet wood I have been turning and how to properly prevent cracking. This video was very informative and educational. Thank you for posting this and saving me from some costly mistakes. I feel confident that by following your tips I will achieve success. Thanks again.

[@kevinkrull5483]

+Jean-Marc Labonte Hey, great to hear Jean-Marc! I'm always happy when I hear someone found some useful information in my videos. Hopefully these tips will work just as well for you as they have many times for me. Best of luck with your turnings and if you have any questions, just ask! Have a good one, Kevin

[@elainebendall1198]

Hi Kevin can you make a video about your lathe what the handles are for and how to use them I bought a lathe it's identical to yours it's an axminter but I noticed one handle is missing on mine I would be so grateful 🙏 thanks oh by the way thankyou for all the advice you give for us beginners love them x

[@davidclauson5256]

Heyyyyy Kevin's back. Good to see you again. Another great video, solid information. When you get life straightened out, then you turn. Thanks for sharing. Have a great 4th! !!!!

[@kevinkrull5483]

David Clauson Glad to know I was missed... lol Thanks David, it really means a lot to me! And you're right about priorities, I'm working at it. I just wish life was easier. Hope you had a nice 4th yourself!! Until next time.... Have a good one, Kevin

[@JerryPaulTreeCreations]

Great tips!

[@kevinkrull5483]

Jerry Paul Many thanks Jerry!! - Kevin

[@russmartin8171]

Excellent video Kevin really informative, thank you! Nice to see your dog features highly in your life too - best wishes Russ

[@kevinkrull5483]

+Russ Martin Thank again Russ, hope you put it to use! And yes, my Maddy meant a lot to me and she still does. Have a good one, Kevin

[@martinboyle6632]

Great video Kevin. Some great advice. I mounted a cherry blank which is still pretty green but not had a chance to get to turn it yet. I just went out and put a plastic bag on it! Was great to see all those bowls together to demonstrate the wall thickness. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to seeing more videos in the future.

[@kevinkrull5483]

Martin Boyle It's amazing how well those plastic bags work, isn't it Martin!! In the past, I read that you could use them for short term only (1-2hrs) so I experimented. The rest is history, or my success! And hopefully, the wall thicknesses will be a source of inspiration to some. Talk to you later, Kevin

[@ARealtorNamedHouse]

Thanks for the sub!

[@tommyschutz9008]

Very informative. Thank you very much for sharing your tips and tricks

[@kevinkrull5483]

+Tommy Schutz Thanks Tommy, I appreciate it!! I hope they will come in handy! Have a good one, Kevin

[@CNTHINGS]

Good video thanks!

[@kevinkrull5483]

+CNWOODWORK Many thanks Chase! Glad you took the time to watch! Have a good one, Kevin

[@DanielVilarino]

Hi Kevin! Was missing you mate! Nice video, I should have seen it earlier, I have been doing some rough turnings and as most people do, when you are at a task, you try to do as much of it as possible, so, since I had my chainsaw ready, lubricated and the tank full of gas, I cut several logs into bowl blanks, alas! I did not put the ones I wasn't going to turn in plastic bags, and sure enough some develop checks! The plastic bag tip will save me a lot. Thanks for sharing my friend and I hope you are better! Cheers! Daniel

[@kevinkrull5483]

Daniel Vilarino Saving bowls one plastic bag at a time...LOL!! Yep, I've been there, and yep, got the checking. Thanks Daniel and time will tell. Talk to you later my friend, Kevin

[@wakelywanderer12]

You have some of the best instructional turning videos on you tube. I hope you return sometime.

[@ichoozjc]

Subscribed because... Golden Retriever. :)

[@kevinkrull5483]

+Chris E Thanks Chris, I sincerely appreciate it! Have a good one, Kevin

[@twonacor]

Great video Kevin. Life happens...wood and u tubers can wait. Excellent tips and beautiful work as always. Was worth waiting for! Best wishes and thanks for sharing!

[@kevinkrull5483]

Rick Stonewood Arts Many thanks Rick, and I'm glad it was worth the wait! Life does happen and unfortunately who knows what the future holds for me. Until next time... Have a good one, Kevin

[@fchasephd]

thanks for the rapid response. I will use the info going forward. Fred

[@kevinkrull5483]

Fred Chase No problem! lol - Kevin

[@erniereid5872]

HI. Mike, lovely work, great to watch. Which type of sanding sealer do you use? Is it important? Thanks!

[@dunkhooper]

Great tip with the plastic bag in your chuck jaws . Tried it today with some very green oak and it worked a treat . Cheers

[@kevinkrull5483]

Duncan Hooper I wish I would've learned that lesson before I rusted up a set of my jaws!! Well, it just gives them character! lol Glad it came in handy for you Duncan, glad I could help. Until next time... Kevin

[@dunkhooper]

Kevin Krull I have had a lot of success using pva glue to seal the ends of my logs to stop splitting in various woods . That's the wood pva not the craft stuff

[@kevinkrull5483]

Duncan Hooper I did hear about pva glue a while back and hearing of some having success with it. I guess I've just forgotten about it. Thanks for the heads up, I'll have to give it a try!

[@limaartesao]

abraço do brasil

[@2BitRustler]

Looks like your drive way is pretty checked. MIght need to halve it. :-) Great video, thanks for the tips. With the approval of Mike Waldt given to you, I'll have to subscribe! :-) Have a great day.

[@zetuskid]

Kevin, have you stopped doing wood turning utube videos? I hope not because I just found your site and am learning so mush as well as just having fun watching.

[@alaincaron225]

I wonder about the relevance of cutting down recently dead trees (say 1 to 3 years). What about the moisture of this wood and its stability. Can we expect less "checks", better stability of the wood after cutting and subsequently after turning? In addition, maybe we can expect some interesting pattern from the wood if the decaying have began? I even know one tree which must be 2.5 feet in diameter, dead for a few years and which seems stable to me. What do you think? Perhaps some of those who read us could also comment.

[@bobaganoosh74]

great video, I do not turn wet wood because I don't know how to keep it from cracking. Thanks for putting out videos with this kind of info on them. now maybe I should go and attack some of that wood sitting around that I'm waiting on to dry.

[@kevinkrull5483]

***** Hey Mike! I'm glad you found value and insight in this video! Follow my tips and you'll have a good chance at success. Now go and attack that wood and turn something great! You can do it!!! Have a good one, Kevin

[@Bramsshed1913]

Hi Kevin, Good to see you back my friend This is an excellent video for us newcomers to wood turning, looking forward to your next video and have a great July 4th. Thanks for sharing and all the best Bram

[@kevinkrull5483]

Brams shed Thanks Bram, glad to be back! I made this video in hopes that newcomers could acquire the skills needed to successfully turn green wood without a large learning curve. I was there once myself. Hope you had a nice fourth Bram! Have a good one my friend, Kevin

[@Bramsshed1913]

Kevin Krull Hi Kevin .Us Brits don't celebrate the 4th as such, we spend it drying out those damn barrels of tea....;) LoL All the best Bram

[@kevinkrull5483]

Ha!!! I wasn't thinking!!! Lol

[@7902711]

Do you have problems with the bowls warping after you apply the danish oil?

[@Lee-qp6gf]

Hey Kevin, I was just thinking of you the other day and wondering if we will hear from you on the tube again and here you are. As always another great turn. I also single turn and do just about the same as you are doing. I put the Danish on while it's still on the lathe and store them in the coolest place in the house, think basement, and weigh them. When they stop, usually about two weeks, I acclimate them upstairs and weigh them some more and when they stop I sand the bottoms level and apply WOP. I rarely get cracking even with cherry and never with walnut. Often I will internally brace the larger bowls opposite the pith. I just sold some bowls today and they loved the curved top. How can you figure? I guess you didn't get another dog yet. Hope you will. Liked your music, Cheers, Lee

[@kevinkrull5483]

Lee Waterman Funny how things work out sometimes, isn't it Lee? ...lol Hey, I really like the process you use, especially the internal brace on the larger ones. I can see where that could really help. Glad to hear you sold some bowls, that's great! And it was time for a change with my music. Luckily, KZbin had some new royalty free songs to choose from. No pup yep, but I am swimming with kittens. You might've seen some of the cats running through this video. The neighbor lady is turning into the crazy cat woman!!! I even told hear I'd help pay to get them fixed. I'm still waiting.... Talk to you soon my friend, Kevin

[@Craftsman538]

Hi Kevin, how do you manage to wet sand without your paper clogging up?

[@phillipleroy1452]

I really like your turning vids. Are you gonna make more? ? ?

[@kevinkrull5483]

+Cody Teague Many thanks Cody, I appreciate it! As for more, at the present time,I don't know. I just don' know... Have a good one, Kevin

[@WhackerJoe]

Great information Kevin, thanks. That bowl turned out great. How many coats of oil do you normally use?

[@kevinkrull5483]

Joe Ritz Hey thanks Joe! As for the oil, it depends. Usually, one, two or three, depending on how natural of a look I want. But I would say two is the norm. Have a good one, Kevin

[@petedavis1768]

Kevin, I really enjoy your videos. I have the same lathe and have a question if you don't mind. In some of your videos, I think I remember seeing a short (4" of so) tool rest. I have not been able to find a shorter tool rest. The stock rest is too long for much of what I do. Did you make your shorter rest or buy it? If the latter, do you mind telling me where. I have one from an older machine that is a 1" post. It will not fit the HF, which I have been told takes a 25mm post. I've considered ordering a stock 12" rest from HF and cutting it down. Thanks Pete

[@kevinkrull5483]

+PeteDavis Many thanks Pete, I appreciate it! I bought my lathe used mainly because the guy was throwing in a whole bunch of accessories with it. That tool rest was one of them, sorry. I suspect it's homemade or at least not mass produced. Because of the 25mm post, your idea of cutting down a 12" rest might be the easiest way to go. Have a good one, Kevin

[@3enjoy3]

Great video and a nice finished piece. Do you apply the Danish oil to the rim too - ie over the remaining bark?

[@kevinkrull5483]

+3enjoy3 Many thanks! I do put the Danish oil on the bark during the first application. It absorbs in well and it helps preserve the bark. I try to keep it off the bark during the second application as it can make it look a little shiny and less natural. Hope that helps! Have a good one, Kevin

[@3enjoy3]

+Kevin Krull Yes, thank you Kevin.

[@stevenpruitt4763]

when you weren't looking, two cats were breaking in you house.

[@kevinkrull5483]

+Steven Pruitt Ha... you saw that! lol ...the cops were called and their efforts were foiled! Now they're serving hard time. Thanks Steven for the laugh, Kevin

[@fchasephd]

Thanks Kevin, Most of my turnng currently is with green wood locally found. A fellow turner with lots of experience uses tung oil almost exclusively, with 3-4 applications, gentle sanding in between, and he produces a very deep sheen without too much unnatural glossyness. Is tung oil comparable to the oil you use? and would you apply several coats for a good finish, or does one coat seem to do it? Thanks, Fred

[@kevinkrull5483]

Fred Chase Hey Fred, great question! It sounds like the fellow turner is using a tung oil "finish" opposed to pure tung oil. Most of the "finishes" (e.g. Danish oil finish, tung oil finish, antique oil finish, etc.) are just linseed oil mixed with varnish and dryers so they all can be used interchangeably. If pure tung oil is being used, if will eventually cure as it is a drying type of oil. Pure oils will take substantially longer to cure. As for the number of applications I use with an oil finish, 1, 2 or 3 usually. And it depends on factors such as desired sheen, type of wood and so on. And yes, sanding in between. Hope that helps - Kevin

[@nguyentrung9322]

dao tien gia bao nhieu mot ta

[@Venge94]

how do you sand it? my sandpaper gets clogged so quickly with wet wood and can tend to fur up the wood

[@kevinkrull5483]

+Conor Ha! Yes, it can be very frustrating, especially with very green wood. I usually start with 60 grit and use an air compressor to constantly unclog the sandpaper. I might only get 5 seconds of unclogged sanding before I have to blow it out. Eventually friction from sanding will dry the surface enough to progress up with finer grits. The finer grits will still clog also, just not as bad. The fun of green wood turning!!! Hope that helps and best of luck Conor! Have a good one, Kevin

[@6984luissuarez]

I have some amazing wild cherry burrows if anybody's intrested

[@dougrobins8291]

I'm curious about how you apply multiple coats of Danish Oil. I had an ash platter which I'd turned in March, and it finally stopped losing weight in mid July. Then I turned it flat (it was 13" by 1 1/4 inch thick after drying). Next I liberally coated it with Danish oil, did not wipe off any excess oil, and left it alone for 2 days - it was dry. Then, I turned the bottom tenon off bowl and gave the entire piece another coat of Danish Oil without wiping off the excess. The next day, the platter felt like fly paper...very sticky. I hand wet-sanded with a 600 grit pad using Danish Oil, and wiped it dry with a paper towel. After two more days, the oil was cured and no sticky spots remained. I think that applying the second coat of Danish Oil after two days was a mistake. Do you apply multiple coats with about 4 hours in between, or use another procedure?

[@kevinkrull5483]

Doug Robins Hey Doug! I too wait a few days between application. The process that I use is: apply the Danish oil finish, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it as dry I can get it. I do this for all applications. You need to apply a very thin coat (by wipe off all excess that doesn't absorb into the wood) and let the oil cure sufficiently between application (2 days or so) or you will get the fly paper effect. On bottle of my brand (Watco) there are instructions for a 8 hr start to finish finish. I've never tried it though. Hope this helps, Kevin

[@6984luissuarez]

They are a week old

[@jamesgoodin905]

I miss your posts,.......are you done with youTube?

[@kevinkrull5483]

+James Goodin Hey James, thanks for checking in! I miss doing my videos. I'm hoping to be able to get back to shooting some new ones this winter. Thanks again, Kevin

[@daviddavids2884]

at 20:17, we see some seriously bad tool handling. cheers

[@RobertJones-xy4wu]

For an instructional video you should show it done safely and start by wearing the correct clothing and equipment.