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Oak Crackling... |
NIxxon
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Dec 22, 2010
Posts: 489 |  Posted: 2011-09-04 5:33 pm Permalink
I have these oak logs sitting in my garage...been there about 2-3 months? I recently noticed that they constantly have a faint crackling sound coming from them...kinda sounds like dripping water from a few feet away but more "crackling" when up close...very strange. Anyway, I was curious if anybody knows what this is and if its normal...I thought maybe bugs but I don't really understand how bugs could make that noise...thanks for any input!!
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Creative Chimp
Grand Member (2 years) 
Joined: Jul 31, 2008
Posts: 278
From: Lost continent of west Florida-Parrish
| Posted: 2011-09-04 9:19 pm Permalink
not bugs....just drying.. i had a pile of oak lumber i was going to burn and it sounded like an army of rats scratching.....its the bark pulling away as the wood shrinks and expands. painting the ends with latex slows the drying down some.....or maybe its the wood spirits clawing there way out? that sounds more exciting.....kinda
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NIxxon
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Dec 22, 2010
Posts: 489 | Posted: 2011-09-05 10:20 am Permalink
haha! I like the idea of the wood spirits better 
I put a coat of poly on all the ends so hopefully its delaying the process and preventing the cracking a bit.
Thank for the reply!
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McTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 1945
From: Sunny Florida
| Posted: 2011-09-06 03:53 am Permalink
Nix,
Florida bugs love oaks. We had a 70 footer in our front yard until last year. I noticed the same sounds coming from the wood. It was beetles. Their larvae have serious appetites. Some pyrethrins will sort that out.
Sealing the logs only provides more privacy
Mc
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NIxxon
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Dec 22, 2010
Posts: 489 | Posted: 2011-09-06 6:03 pm Permalink
McTiki! Hey thanks for the input...Hows the island treatin ya?
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McTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 1945
From: Sunny Florida
| Posted: 2011-09-07 03:42 am Permalink
Hot as Haites! I got some stuff in the works though. It just takes alot more motivation to go out and work with sweat in your eyes. Took me 2 days to skin the latest log.
What are you using to carve the Oak?
Mahalo
McTiki
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TheBigT
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1183
From: Fabulous Houston
| Posted: 2011-09-07 09:52 am Permalink
I think the "crackling" could be the wood curing, however, if it is more of a "ticking" or "scratching" sound then that is beetle larvae in the wood. If the wood was cut fresh and stored in your garage soon, then it probably isn't beetles. There are "live tree" beetles but any you might be hearing would most likely be "dead wood" beetles.
A treatment of Timbor can protect the logs from further infestation, and possibly kill any larvae if you can get the Timbor to soak deep into the log.
[ This Message was edited by: TheBigT 2011-09-07 09:53 ]
[ This Message was edited by: TheBigT 2011-09-07 09:56 ]
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NIxxon
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Dec 22, 2010
Posts: 489 | Posted: 2011-09-07 1:57 pm Permalink
It certainly has been HOT! I cut my carving short yesterday for the same reason...think im gona invest in a shade tent...lol.
I haven't carved any of the oak yet...just letting it dry a little first. Not sure what to use or how to go about it but that's all part of the fun. Ill just dive in and figure it out as I go
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AlohaStation
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 27, 2004
Posts: 2014
From: So FL
| Posted: 2011-09-08 06:39 am Permalink
Just dive in! Experience is the best teacher.
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