Replies

1. 
   StanleyNiemiec | Feb 20, 2003 07:59am | #1

   Many years ago, Gene Wengert wrote a publication about solar kilns when he was on staff at the Forest Products Department at Virginia Tech in Charlottesville VA.  It was definitive and included designs he collected for about 60 different solar kilns appropriate for many different world wide locations.  The ideas contained in the various designs are truly mind-blowing. 

   If you are truly interested in building a solar kiln, I would suggest you get on the phone and try to contact someone within the VPI FP Department to see if you could obtain even a photocopy of this publication.  If this fails (and only if it fails), contact me directly and I can provide you a copy if you are willing to compensate me for copying and handling costs.

   If you can trust my expertise as a Wood TEchnologist, I will guarantee you will not be disappointed with the information contained therein.

   ONce you have established the parameters of the kiln, then you can get to developing appropriate kiln schedules for the woods you are interested in drying.

2. 
   RickL750 | Feb 20, 2003 04:22pm | #2

   Woodsy,

   Take a look at this link from woodweb.com it has alot of info.

   http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Solar_Kiln_Designs_1.html

   Good luck,

   RickL

3. 
   mosswerks | Feb 20, 2003 07:57pm | #3

   Hello woodsy-

   There is a guy in Charlotte Michigan, John Wilson, who has several kilns. He is the only shaker box material supplier in the U.S. and he uses four solar kilns. He has plans and I think Wood Mag is doing an article on him and his kilns in the next few months. I am not sure of his number off hand but I think he has a website at ovalboxes.com?

   Good luck-Kimberly