Replies

1. 
   Tao | Mar 18, 2005 02:12am | #1

   As an industrial buyer I always specified 6 to 6 1/2%, but for custom work at home, it just has to be in equilibrium with the surroundings it is going to live in, to minimize movement.  That could be anywhere from 4 to 15%, depending on location and climate.

   If you can buy it anywhere from 6 to 10% and give the rough cut parts some time to stabilize before cutting to final dimension, you should be OK.

   I know there will be different opinions on this, but that's my story, etc.

   Michael R

1. 
   ljoyner | Mar 18, 2005 03:31am | #2

   Thanks, Michael!

   I was given 1M BF of 4"X 8" to 16" Pin Oak, three years ago and was told to let it cure. Now I want to use it but was unsure if it is ready. I bought a meter and it reads 16%. Should I bring some into the shop and let it dry under better conditions?

   Larry

1. 
   Tao | Mar 18, 2005 03:58am | #3

   Pretty nice gift!

   The rule of thumb for air drying is 1 year per inch, but it depends a lot on where the wood is.  If it were mine, I'd bring some of it indoors and maybe mill it closer to the sizes I was going to use.  Watch out for checks and shakes in oak that thick.  Thick oak is notoriaously hard to dry in kilns; I don't know how it does when air drying, 

   Michael R

   Edited 3/17/2005 8:59 pm ET by Woodwiz