Clamping stickered lumber

[Matt Benton]

I just got some walnut for a blanket chest that I hope to build (someday). I haven't gotten a meter yet, but suspect it has some more drying to do.

My question is, can I sticker the boards on my workbench and then clamp them down? Thought this would be easier (and maybe more effective) than adding weight to the top of the stack....

Thanks!

[Michael Conner]

If you are in your shop every day this may not be a bad option. The problem with clamps on stickered lumber is that as the lumber dries, the clamps become loose and can allow the wood to move.

[Ross Ellis]

Boards will dry better outside. Air movement is needed for drying.

[Steve Clardy]

I do that with cabinet door panels if I have several at the end of the day and don't have time to assemble the doors.
I just stack them together and put a clamp on all 4 corners.

[David DeCristoforo]

Well, between now and "someday", what are you planning to use for a workbench?

[Loren Bengtson]

Boards will dry better outside. Air movement is needed for drying.

Ross,

That's true only up to a point. After the lumber reaches about 12% MC (moisture content) you will need to bring it inside to continue drying. Outdoor conditions -- temperature and relative humidity -- will not allow lumber to dry past this point.

For more information, you can download the Forest Products Laboratory publication, Drying Hardwood Lumber in PDF format here: http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr118.pdf

Loren

[Peter Quinn]

I see no reason why clamps wouldn't work as long as you add some mechanism to throw there force over a large surface area. Typically lumber air dried out doors where 'weight' has been added involves a lot of weight spread over a large surface area . Clamps are meant to apply concentrated pressure unless cauls are employed. Perhaps clamps at the stickers would work, but I would be inclined to allow the lumber to move a bit and find equilibrium rather than holding it captive.

I am not an expert on air drying wood, so get your salt, but it might be a good time to get that meter and determine the woods moisture so you can develop a strategy for seasoning it for use. If its 30% and its a lot of wood, I wouldn't want it drying in my shop contributing all that moisture to the shop environment. If its a small amount of wood or below 15% MC or so then perhaps shop storage, possibly a small box fan would suit me.