There is a material called PEG (or something like that) that can be used to soak wook in, and it stabilizes it to prevent cracks. Sorry I can't be more specific - just read it some place and that fact is taking up a synapse in my brain.
Thanks Doc, I've never heard of such a product other than those for use on rotten wood.
In an attempt to eliminate the cracking I applied as much mineral oil as would soak in over a period of a week or so. It was a failure. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Used to that! [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Egon, he is correct on the product PEG. I think is stands for Poly-Ethylene-Glycol (sp). It mane use is to paint it on the ends of the wood so as it dries it won't start the checking. It works pretty good, a turning buddy of mine uses it when he dries logs for turning lamps and such. I don't know if it would work on something that large, or whether you dried it or found it dried.