stevecater
09-30-2008, 12:36 PM
In my area there is nobody that I know of that offers kiln drying for small batches (1000-2000BF). This has me seriously thinking of building either some sort of solar or hybrid kiln in my back yard for ocasional use.
I have anohter issue as well as drying which is sterilization. I have 5000bfm of pine that has been strictly air drying for year and I started milling some for an outdoor project (its now at 14% or less) and discovered old house boring larva just under the bark on many boards. I would LOVE to be able to heat treat the wood as recommended to 133deg to kill the bugs rather than risk infestation of my soffits and maybe my whole house!!!
My thoughts were to build something like the Virginia tech solar kiln and add a heater so that I could close off the vents, crank it up to 160deg for a number of hours to sterilize then proceed to dry either by solar or maybe by electric heat/dehumidification.
My location probably will have partial shade due to close proximit trees as well so another reason I thought to add a heater.
Anyone built kins here?
One article I read suggests if adding suplimental heat, solar may be counterproductive since the collector area will have a high heat loss when the sun is not shining (makes sense I guess).
Maybe the VA tech design but insulate the roof either with or without the transparent panels so its low heat loss but convertible to solar?
TIA for any suggestions.
I have anohter issue as well as drying which is sterilization. I have 5000bfm of pine that has been strictly air drying for year and I started milling some for an outdoor project (its now at 14% or less) and discovered old house boring larva just under the bark on many boards. I would LOVE to be able to heat treat the wood as recommended to 133deg to kill the bugs rather than risk infestation of my soffits and maybe my whole house!!!
My thoughts were to build something like the Virginia tech solar kiln and add a heater so that I could close off the vents, crank it up to 160deg for a number of hours to sterilize then proceed to dry either by solar or maybe by electric heat/dehumidification.
My location probably will have partial shade due to close proximit trees as well so another reason I thought to add a heater.
Anyone built kins here?
One article I read suggests if adding suplimental heat, solar may be counterproductive since the collector area will have a high heat loss when the sun is not shining (makes sense I guess).
Maybe the VA tech design but insulate the roof either with or without the transparent panels so its low heat loss but convertible to solar?
TIA for any suggestions.