How To Sand Sappy Wood: Sanding Wood Sap

By Phelps / February 9, 2023 February 10, 2023

As a woodworker, you’ve probably had countless experiences working with woods that have a high sap content. (Even if you don’t have much knowledge about the craft, you’ve undoubtedly seen a piece of wood that has had a large amount of the sticky substance.)

While these types of logs make a great way to keep the fire going, they may prove to be a problem when it comes to construction or making furniture out of wood. Luckily, we’ll be going over common issues related to excess sap, such as how to sand sappy wood!

For those who would like a quick answer, we have it right here for you: Some untreated wood varieties can ooze sap long after the wood has been processed into workable pieces. Kiln drying at high temperatures typically crystalizes any sap in the wood, meaning it will remain in the wood and not ooze out.

You’ll get a very similar effect with a heat gun on the affected area. Should you have a piece of wood with excess sap, try to scrape it off as much as possible. Isopropyl alcohol can help remove the sap; however, it can also damage the wood.

Sanding is the best solution, starting with a low grit of 120 and working your way up as needed. Word of caution, the sap will ruin the sandpaper/pad much quicker than when sanding wood with a lower sap content.

How Do You Stop Wood from Seeping Sap?

Sap is basically the “blood” of the tree which is why it seeps out of cut wood.

While there are various methods to stop sap seeping, the most efficient is to heat the wood and seal it adequately. By heating the wood, you will crystalize the sap, making it less prone to leak out.

Once you are finished working with the wood, you can apply a sealant to your finished project to add an extra layer to prevent sap from surfacing and leaking out over time.

The most efficient ways to heat the wood are through kiln drying or using a heat gun. Kiln drying can be done by putting the wood in an airtight space before using a heat source to raise the temperatures inside, drawing out the moisture and crystalizing the sap.

The heat gun method can have the same effect, though you will only be able to heat specific areas of the wood at a time, and it will need to be done manually.

When it comes to sealing, using any sealant that works well with the wood type is a good option! As long as it keeps sap from coming up to the surface, it should be a great sealant.

Which Wood Seeps the Most Sap?

While many kinds of wood can leak sap, pine and fir have the highest sap contents. Some other woods known to leak sap are maple, elm, and birch.

Luckily, you can get rid of this sap problem using the drying and sealing methods listed above!

Can you Sand Over Sap?

While you can sand over sap, it is much more efficient when the sap has been crystallized.

Using 220 grit sandpaper along the grain will not only smooth down the wood but scrape away at any crystalized sap that may have surfaced. Once you finish sanding, you’ll be ready to add seals and finishes.

How do I Remove Fresh Sap?

Unlike hardened sap, which can be dried and sanded, the wood you are working with may also begin to ooze fresh sap.

Here is an efficient way to clean it off:

Use a thin and hard edge to scrape off as much of the surface sap as possible.
Apply oil soap to the entire wood surface and scrub it in.
Rinse with warm water,
If there is any remaining residue on the wood, use acetone to remove it efficiently.

Why is it Essential to Remove Sap?

There are several reasons why removing sap is something you want to do. Starting from the basics, the sap is a very sticky substance, so you may find yourself having trouble doing even the most basic woodworking tasks, from sanding to applying coats over the wood.

Even if you aren’t planning on using any stains or finishes on top of the wood, hardened sap will provide an uneven surface, while fresh sap will be a magnet for loose particles and debris.

Overall, you will want to remove as much sap as possible to ensure your woodworking project is clean and well-built.

How To Store Live Edge Wood Slabs: Live Edge Slab Storage

By Phelps / February 9, 2023 February 10, 2023

When it comes to woodworking, having safe and proper storage is debatably one of the most important things you can focus on. By making sure your wood is maintained correctly, it’ll always be ready to use for construction, and you will lower the chances of facing any problems in the future.

You won’t only be protecting your wood by properly storing it, but you’ll be protecting everyone in the workplace from the materials that would have been strewn around otherwise. For those that are storing live edge slabs as well as milled boards, you may need to up your storage game.

The best way to store live edge slabs and boards is inside, in a temperature-controlled environment, where sunlight won’t hit the wood. Ensuring the wood is on a flat surface will also help prevent bowing.

Be careful when storing wood in garages as many homes do not have temperature controls in their garages, and temperature/ humidity swings can wreak havoc on your wood.

What is a Live Edge Slab?

A live edge slab is a piece of wood purposed for woodworking projects while still retaining its natural look and edges from where it was cut from the tree.

You can mainly find live edge slabs used to construct furniture such as tables, desks, and benches.

Why is it Important to Store Wood Properly?

Storing wood properly is essential for a variety of reasons. Whether the effect on the wood itself or the people around it is the concern, here are some reasons as to why you should properly store your wood:

Improper storage can damage or warp the wood
Loose wood can prove to be dangerous in the working environment
It will save you money in the long run if you don’t damage your wood stock

How Do You Keep Live Edge Slabs from Warping?

When it comes to preventing warping, there are many things that you can do to protect your live edge slabs. (The best thing is that these all play into each other, so no matter what step you decide to take, you can easily follow up with others!)

Some precautions you can take to prevent warping are:

Limit moisture content. Making sure the wood is unable to regain moisture lowers the chances of it warping or breaking.
Consistent drying. Make sure that when you are drying your wood, it does not dry too slowly. Doing so will result in having the opposite effects — the same can be said here for over-drying your wood as well!
Maintain a stable environment. Once the moisture has been drawn out and dried, keep the wood in a room temperature and dry climate. This way, there is little room for moisture or any other outside elements to invade the wood and cause damage.

How Do You Store Small Pieces of Wood?

When it comes to smaller pieces of wood, scraps, and even leftover lumber, you’ll want to give them proper storage as well. You never know when you need them for a project!

Some ways you can store your wood:

Stand-up racks. A simple stand with designated sections to store the pieces of wood standing up or leaning is an excellent and efficient storage method.
Shelves. Similar to the first method, you can also have the small pieces of wood stored on shelves!
Spaced stacks. If you choose to either store the wood on shelves or laying down anywhere else, you will need to have placeholders in between each wood piece to ensure a proper and consistent environment is maintained.

By limiting the wood’s exposure to moisture while keeping it adequately aerated boards to use whenever you desire.

What is the Optimal Environment to Store Live Edge Slabs?

From many woodworkers, it can be agreed that the best way to have live edge slabs stored is by leaning them upright against a wall after they are flattened and sanded down. Keeping both ends exposed to the same level of air and moisture will prevent the slabs from warping.

However, too much humidity will result in the slabs morphing regardless.

If you don’t have enough room to lean them up against the wall, you can lay them down flat on shelves or racks. If you choose this storage method, you will need to place some placeholders between each slab. You do not want to stack them one on top of the other because you need to allow each side to retain the same level of air and moisture circulation.