Hi everyone,
I was able to get my hands on some recently felled red oak logs. I quartered them to get them home, and now I’m wondering what the best way is to store them. Should I leave them quartered and store them outside? If so, how? Or should I continue to process them and store them in my shop?
I have no immediate project to use them for.
-John
Replies
Process them into planks or squares, paint the ends and pile them with 5/8 ´´ sticks in between . If outside have a plywood or sheet metal top to protect from direct exposure. One year per inch will provide wood dry enough for simple things that are designed with considerations for wood movement.
Are you planning on using them for a greenwood project, or as dimensioned lumber for casework?
I primarily have in mind to build a Chris Schwarz stick chair. After that, maybe some small boxes.
Just keep in mind that air dried wood will not reach the 6-8% moisture content for most indoor projects. If you build small boxes you may want to give the wood a hit in the microwave before final milling, same for chair stretchers, a couple hours in the oven will take them down to where they will not shrink when assembled.
His chairs use dried wood, not green, so you don't have to worry about trying to keep it green. I'd split out the parts oversize and let then be until you're ready to use them. Make plenty of spare, because some will move while drying.
I'd use very seasoned wood for the seat.
Search this site for: Mario Rodriguez drying lumber
I also take a sharpie and write the store date on the ends of some of the boards.
The site where Mario Rodriguez interviewed the lumber man on drying lumber: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2007/08/13/how-to-dry-lumber
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