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Hello All,

I had an issue with my bandsaw and was unable to resaw some spruce billets as soon as I would have liked, I kept them moist so they wouldn't split knowing they would develop mold, which they have, any thoughts on how to get rid of the mold/process these billets at this point would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Bleach&water solution lightly sprayed on should do it.

Perhaps submerge for an hour or longer in a very strong solution of sodium hypochlorite (BLEECH).

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Dan
http://www.acme-archtops.com

I was thinking about the bleach/water trick too, just wondering if that would penetrate the spruce at any depth and leave a stain, I wouldn't think so, just wondering though.

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

It might tak away some stains,it won't leave any.

I work in a furniture warehouse and we occasionally get batches in with mould problems. We just wash it off with alcohol - never had a recurrence reported. It might leave some surface staining on bare wood though..

Cheers
Bri

Letting the wood dry is the best prevention and the only real way to stop the mold. You can't really kill it as it will come back if the wood is over 20% EMC. Why on earth did you keep it "moist" ??? I have never heard of that and I have dried a lot of wood. Usually by the time you have mold on a light colored wood like spruce your done. Maybe you could bleach it but I wouldn't bet on a good result. What is wrong with the time honored method where you seal the end grain and let the wood dry. Once it is under 20% EMC mold won't grow. The only time I would keep wood "moist" would be if I wanted spaulted wood. Your spruce billets should split if you handle them properly.
Link

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

Hey Greg, if it were me I would just start processing them, saw the mould off. If that is not the way you want to go then soak the billet in a tub of water for an hour to saturate it, then soak in bath of bleech, the cells will then not let the bleech penetrate as they will already be full with water.

Good luck!

Shane

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Canada

Oops

That should read : "Shouldn't split"

Link

_________________
Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

Oops

That should read : "Shouldn't split"

Link

_________________
Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

Hydrogen peroxide may be another option for you. I know that it kills some molds. It will act as a bleach though, so you may want to test it out first.

Darrin

Doesn't bleach get a little kick with sunlight? I wonder if a light spray with diluted bleach and then a little sun would do it.

In the paper industry they used to use sodium hypochlorite (bleach) to whiten paper pulp but now have to use hydrogen peroxide because of the former releasing chlorine into the waste stream.

Good luck,

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Steve Walden
Aspiring Builder,
Bartlesville, OK