Another Little Quirky Project

[Pinch]

When Mrs P and I walk the houndies down the lane everyday to a field, I'm subconsciously looking out for fallen woody things and ivy on trees. There are a couple of trees with some interesting ivy attached to them, but I would need to find out who the trees belongs to before removing the ivy - which will do the tree a favour as well.

Over the last few weeks, I've notice a few pieces of rotting wood on the embankment lane side which has probably been there for years. I've umm'd & arrrrr'd about it for a while and then a week or so ago, after dropping the houndies off at home, I walked back with a bag and picked up the rotting pieces of wood. I'm thinking candle holders or something ornamental.

My question is; does anyone know of a solution which can clean the wood and stabilize/harden it from further rotting?

I know some folk might be against picking up rotting wood as it probably homes insect life, but I don't think there's much life in these bits of wood anymore.

Much appreciated if anyone knows of something to treat these bits of old wood.

 

[9fingers]

Gentle micowaving to dry and kill anything still crawling, cool then vacuum impregnate with PEG perhaps?

Bob

 

[AndyP]

A wood hardener perhaps?

 

[Mike Jordan]

In the days when Flint and steel was used to create fire, one of the favoured types of tinder was carefully dried rotten wood. So I am forced to question your use of the word "thinking" when suggesting candle holders. The idea that drilling a hole to take a tupenny tea light rates as craftsmanship seems to be rife at craft fairs and similar events, please have second thoughts about this and stick to something ornamental, not more bl--- y candle holder,fire starter kits.
I'm sure that most people would also be wary of a gift of a piece of worm infested wood to display on their nice oak sideboard, no matter what assurances you give about treatments used.

 

[Pinch]

Gentle micowaving to dry and kill anything still crawling, cool then vacuum impregnate with PEG perhaps?

Bob

Cheers Bob - I hadn't thought of the microwave. The bits might just fit in ours.

:text-bravo:

 

[Pinch]

A wood hardener perhaps?

Cheers Andy - Yes, I'm currently researching wood hardeners.

 

[Pinch]

In the days when Flint and steel was used to create fire, one of the favoured types of tinder was carefully dried rotten wood. So I am forced to question your use of the word "thinking" when suggesting candle holders. The idea that drilling a hole to take a tupenny tea light rates as craftsmanship seems to be rife at craft fairs and similar events, please have second thoughts about this and stick to something ornamental, not more bl--- y candle holder,fire starter kits.
I'm sure that most people would also be wary of a gift of a piece of worm infested wood to display on their nice oak sideboard, no matter what assurances you give about treatments used.

Cheers Mike.

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my opening post... These pieces are planned to be used on the garden table during a summer's evening when I've prepared and served a romantic meal to my good lady, followed by a bit of serenading - just the job.

[youtube]NoWbTkCOcSI[/youtube]

 

[AndyP]

I am sure you will put any candles, tea lights or otherwise, indoors or out, into proper glass or metal holders and not direct into the wood.

 

[Pinch]

I am sure you will put any candles, tea lights or otherwise, indoors or out, into proper glass or metal holders and not direct into the wood.

Absolutely.