Dave Richards
10-06-2003, 2:29 PM
A few years back I bought about 100 bf of red oak from a farmer. It was stuff he'd cut 20 to 30 years ago while clearing some of his land. It is mostly about 8-10/4 although there's some 4/4 stuff in the pile as well. He dried it in a shed with a dirt floor. Seemed to be well-stickered and pretty nice.
I bought it because it was a good deal (I think) at around 50 cents/bf. but I haven't used more than maybe one board of it.
Now, I'm thinking about getting into that stuff but wondering if I should have someone stick it in a kiln or what before I start jointing and planing. I have had it in my father-in-law's unheated garage since I got it.
Should I perhaps face joint and plane to take off the rough surfaces and then stack it for awhile? If yes, how long? My shop is not heated yet, though I hope to get that changed before winter really sets in.
If I take it in the house to dry more and then return it to my shop to work it, do I lose all my drying? For that matter does kiln-dried lumber just go back to ambient moisture levels after being removed from the kiln?
So many questions, so little brain. :D
I bought it because it was a good deal (I think) at around 50 cents/bf. but I haven't used more than maybe one board of it.
Now, I'm thinking about getting into that stuff but wondering if I should have someone stick it in a kiln or what before I start jointing and planing. I have had it in my father-in-law's unheated garage since I got it.
Should I perhaps face joint and plane to take off the rough surfaces and then stack it for awhile? If yes, how long? My shop is not heated yet, though I hope to get that changed before winter really sets in.
If I take it in the house to dry more and then return it to my shop to work it, do I lose all my drying? For that matter does kiln-dried lumber just go back to ambient moisture levels after being removed from the kiln?
So many questions, so little brain. :D