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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Dry time for down tree before sealing
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catfishhoward
Member
# Posted: 2 May 2018 19:15
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I have a 30" pine that fell over 3 years ago and I just cut some slabs out of it to with a chainsaw to build a couple wood tables and it appear to be still wet inside. I figure the wood has to be dry before sealing? I was wanting to give them to my mom for mothers day any idea how long it will take to dry or a quick way to dry them? I was going to use a gloss Minwax Water-Based spar Polyurethane.
pine_table.jpg
pine_table.jpg


DaveBell
Moderator
# Posted: 2 May 2018 20:00
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https://www.hunker.com/13401347/how-to-dry-pine-lumber

Shadyacres
Member
# Posted: 2 May 2018 20:43
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Thinking it needs to be cut in slabs first then dried, otherwise it will probably rot or take years .

Just
Member
# Posted: 2 May 2018 21:48
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That fast, you need a kiln with heat and controlled humidity. About two weeks .nice grain in it make a fine table .

ICC
Member
# Posted: 2 May 2018 22:04
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A very rough rule of thumb when passive air drying is 1 year per inch of thickness. Maybe you can build a table for next Mother's Day. Do a search on air drying lumber. There is lots of info out there, some of it good. Also do a search at The Forestry Forum.

Just
Member
# Posted: 2 May 2018 22:11
Reply 


A quick google search gave me 10 custom drying operations in Ontario.

catfishhoward
Member
# Posted: 3 May 2018 06:13
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Thanks, I will put the slabs in a small room with a space heater and fan so I might be able to sand it at least before mothers day.

Just
Member
# Posted: 3 May 2018 11:07
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You will need a dehumidifier to do it fast .

catfishhoward
Member
# Posted: 3 May 2018 11:15 - Edited by: catfishhoward
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I just dropped the slab off at local saw milling guy he's going to throw it in his kiln next time he runs it.

1tentman
Member
# Posted: 3 May 2018 16:30
Reply 


You can make your own kiln pretty easy. Find a junk chest type freezer, preferably a large one. Most furniture lumber you can get by with 5ft lengths or less, stack and strip your boards inside and set a dehumidifier inside and after a couple weeks your good to go. I have a building that I own that was a grocery store years ago there is a walk-in freezer in it that the units didn't work any more. I sawed a large amount of Oak, Walnut and Pecan, stacked and stripped it in this freezer. I was empting the dehumidifier twice a day so I drilled a hole in the side and ran a hose to the drain. This worked really well the dehumidifier creates enough heat to help draw the moisture out ,temps got up to 90 degrees plus and the water ran out of the hose for along time. You will have a lot better results with your woodworking if you dry it first, it really needs to be down to about 9% moisture for best results. Just something to think about, it worked really well for me.

catfishhoward
Member
# Posted: 3 May 2018 17:37
Reply 


Quoting: 1tentman
Find a junk chest type freezer, preferably a large one.

Thanks, when I move and start doing my own lumber I'll keep that in mind and I also thought about a metal shipping storage container.

rockies
Member
# Posted: 3 May 2018 20:22
Reply 


http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/drying-wood-at-home/

old243
Member
# Posted: 5 May 2018 22:53
Reply 


I have a mill, To get the nicest , pine. It should be sawed and well stickered. To air dry, preferably in a dry shed. I prefer to get winter cut logs and cut them before the summer heat hits them. This will avoid blue and brown stain and bug damage. Air dried lumber will get down to about 13% moisture and remain there, till kilned. My kiln will bring 4/4 lumber down to 6% in about 2 weeks. Thicker lumber will take quite a bit longer, my kiln is not high capacity , but does a good job. You should also get the kiln temperature above 135 degrees F for at least a day to kill insect eggs. Hardwoods will take quite a bit longer as well. old 243

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