Back in December I post Walnut and Pentacryl, the two Walnut rounds I had cut that day from a wet Walnut log and then soaked them in a Pentacryl bath. Pentacryl is a non-toxic liquid compound of modified polymers designed to prevent racking and splitting of green wood for the drying process. Basically a preservation solution.
The idea in using Pentacryl was to stop the cracking and splitting. After soaking for 72 hours, they have been drying naturally in my shop with cardboard on both sides. Every week or so I would check the moisture content.
Just last week, the moisture content reached 9% which is what I needed before I could start preparing them for finishing. After I ran them them the drum sander to get both sides flat, I started sanding each side with 60 grit paper, then 100 grit, 120, 150, 200, 240, 280, 320, 400 and finished up with 600 grit.
After sanding I placed them into a food grade mineral oil bath. After 30 minutes I removed them from the oil bath for drying. Here is a picture of what they look like now!
The mineral oil makes them shiny but will soon soak into the wood and be a nice finish. The bark is holding on but over time could fall off or not, I am hoping it will stay.
They are looking good!
On February 13th, I posted Rustic Black Walnut Wood Slices, today I checked the moisture content on all of these and they are now at 11 to 14%. Still waiting on them to get to 9% moisture content so I can work these too!
The photo below of my boards Food Photographer Tricia Buice! Check out her website, Saving Room for Dessert.
Michael's Woodcrafts 
Walnut is so beautiful, I think it’s my favorite wood. Those coasters are so nice.
It’s my favorite to work with Suzanne! thank you!
Is all that sanding done by hand? I hope the bark hangs on!
The majority of the sanding is by hand Yvonne!
That’s a lot of sanding Michael, but I’ll bet those coasters feel like glass!
They do feel like glass! 🙂
Ok Michael—now you know when my chargers are finished drying and shrinking—I’ll need a set of coasters to go along with the chargers–then my table will be complete 🙂
Thank you Julie! I am hoping a few more weeks on the chargers! 🙂
beautiful coasters!
thank you Tex!
Beautiful!!
Very cool Michael. What an interesting talent you have. I hope the bark stays on too – very nice! Have a great week 🙂
Hi Tricia! Thank you! We will know about the bark in a few weeks! 🙂
They are looking great!!! Hope you’ve enjoyed the weekend 😉 E
thank you!!
Your understanding of the wood and other materials you use is one of the reasons you’re so good at what you do. You’re a natural artist!
Hi Elisa! thank you so much! 🙂 Your photography is beautiful, love all your photos!!!
All of those wood pieces are looking so nice! You do great work, congrats!
I love walnut wood and haven’t seen anything here that wasn’t ‘walnut colored’. These coasters are lovely.
Lovely and so unusual too.
thank you!
Those are beautiful! Your attention to detail is admirable!
Hi Kelli! thank you!!