Kilns and large commercial ops are Dr Wengert's bread and butter, so that's the only advice you'll get. Me, I don't kiln dry anything...nada...zilch...and I achieve excellent results with maple, madrone and other difficult woods.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad Smith
Air drying for 5 months this time of year in my yard will take most 4/4 hardwoods down to well below 20%. Not worth the labor at that point to kiln it from my point of view.
You don't want it at 6% anyway, unless it'll be flooring beneath subfloor heating....you want it at 8-10%. You'll have that in the existing stacks by next April or May. Build with it at 6% and you may have expansion problems unless you're in Arizona.
Just make sure your stacks are in a spot with good natural air flow and are well shaded. Cover the tops with tar paper or the sapwood boards, leaving the sides open.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...=drying+stacks