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Is Sap A Problem?


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Sap content has little to nothing to do with dryness; as the wood ages, the sap tends to become more brittle/harder/less sticky, but you can have perfectly dry wood with slightly sticky sap pockets. The pain in the butt bit is clearing them out and filling/repairing them in some way, shape or form to make sure they don't interfere with finishing.

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If you can heat the wood to about 160 deg ( Fahrenheit ), that will set the pitch, and it will not soften again, unless it gets above that temperature ( not likely ) But heat it slowly and carefully so it doesn't crack, and keep in mind the pitch will ooze everywhere as it expands.

Use shellac over the pitchy areas to seal them, otherwise it will likely mess up whatever finish you put on it.

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If you can heat the wood to about 160 deg ( Fahrenheit ), that will set the pitch, and it will not soften again, unless it gets above that temperature ( not likely ) But heat it slowly and carefully so it doesn't crack, and keep in mind the pitch will ooze everywhere as it expands.

Use shellac over the pitchy areas to seal them, otherwise it will likely mess up whatever finish you put on it.

That will set the pitch if you bring it fully up to temp, if you just heat the surface it will possibly rise later. That is also going to overdry the wood, so it will move during the process(shrink and possibly distort), then it will expand as it comes back to equilibrium moisture. You may experience cracking or splitting depending on how dry the wood is before you start the process. Sealing the body up with shellac is a good idea also, but wait until it has stabalized otherwise it will slow it equalizing back to normal, and you have resurfaced it to take out any distortion it develops.

I have done this with Douglas Fir soundboards, but those are usually 3/16" thick.

Rich

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I have a couple of pine boards I'm going to be using as a top (or a back) on my strat build and one of the two has a lot of areas of sap. Would these sappy areas cause any problems at all?

Luke Pm me with your address, I'll send you a set of curly or quilted maple. They won't be a AAAA grade but much better than your pine.

Mike

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I have a couple of pine boards I'm going to be using as a top (or a back) on my strat build and one of the two has a lot of areas of sap. Would these sappy areas cause any problems at all?

Luke Pm me with your address, I'll send you a set of curly or quilted maple. They won't be a AAAA grade but much better than your pine.

Mike

Hey Mikro ,that's way cool of you.I'll pitch in too.Luke if you PM me ,I can send you some veneer to use.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PB220682.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PB220681.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PB220680.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PB220679.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PA270649.jpg

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Seriously? Thanks a bunch man!
No Problem, I got your PM, will ship it next week. I'll post a Pic whenI get the set out.

Mike

Edited to add: Here's the set I'm sending Luke. Not a great set but has nice quilt to it. Wiped it down with mineral spirits to show the grain. :D

One more thing Luke? This set is only 20" long and 13 5/8" wide. Let me know if it is not large enough before I ship it. If it is too small give me the size needed?

quilted1.jpg

Edited by MiKro
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Thanks goes out to you as well Dean!

MiKro I think that would work for a stratocaster body.

Once again Thank You for the wood MiKro and Thank You Dean for the veneer.

You're welcome, I'll try and get it shipped by Tuesday, and I hope it works for you :D

Mike

edited to add: Has been shipped :D MK

Edited by MiKro
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Thanks a bunch guys.
Luke there is some warping (minor) in this set. I have edge planed it for gluing based on the picture. The warping will not be a problem when clamped to a body. Just an FYI for you. So please don't be concerned about it. It's normal to expect some movement in the wood after milling, due to stress in the wood. :D

Mike

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