Project:Drying Timber: Difference between revisions

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{{ProjectInfoBox
{{ProjectInfoBox
|project title=Drying Timber
|project title=Drying Timber
|image=drying timber variety.JPG
|image=drying freshly cut lumber.JPG
|status=ongoing
|status=ongoing
|date=started in 2016, first products in 2018
|date=started in 2016, first products in 2018
|initiator=[[User:Lukas|Lukas]]
|initiator=[[User:Lukas|Lukas]]
|team=
|team=[[User:Luzian|Luzian]], {{P}};<br>kind contributions from [[Airlag]], [[Narquadah]] & [[Jaggi2]]
|materials=various kinds of [[wood]]
|materials=various kinds of [[wood]];<br>[[Wood Glue|wood glue]], [[paraffin]], [[Clear Lacquer|clear lacquer]]
|tools=pocket chainsaw, [[hacksaw]], [[drawknife]]
|tools=[[chainsaw]], pocket chainsaw, [[hacksaw]], [[drawknife]]
|software=
|cost=mostly time & space
}}
}}
Before actively looking for sources of unprocessed timber or rough-cut boards for [[Woodturning Blanks|woodturning blanks]] or projects like a "[http://gregklassen.com/collection/river/ river table]", I want to experiment with drying and storage techniques to see which works best. Drying too fast will cause the wood to crack while incomplete drying allows fungi to grow.
Before actively looking for sources of unprocessed timber or rough-cut boards for [[Woodturning Blanks|woodturning blanks]] or projects like a "[http://gregklassen.com/collection/river/ river table]", I want to experiment with drying and storage techniques to see which works best. Drying too fast will cause the wood to crack while incomplete drying allows fungi to grow.
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File:apple wood discs.JPG|apple discs in late 2016
File:apple wood discs.JPG|apple discs in late 2016
File:pine log drying in attic.JPG|the pine log in late 2016
File:pine log drying in attic.JPG|the pine log in late 2016
File:drying timber variety.JPG|cherry, ash, maple and another log in late 2017
</gallery>
</gallery>


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|-
|-
! scope="col"| Species
! scope="col"| Species
! scope="col"| (Early) Photo
! scope="col"| Approx. Dimensions
! scope="col"| Approx. Dimensions
! scope="col"| Source
! scope="col"| Source
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|-
|-
! scope="row"| yew
! scope="row"| yew
| [[File:Airlag's yew logs.jpg|70 px]]
| two ''logs''
| two ''logs''
| [[User:Airlag|Airlag]]
| [[User:Airlag|Airlag]]
| none
| none
| {{£bench}} since 2019-2-6; garage approx. 5 years before that
| {{£bench}} since 2019-2-6; garage approx. 5 years before that
|  
| shorter log: single straight crack down the middle (bark to center)
|  
| [[File:Würfelturm used.jpg|thumb|150px|link=[[Project:Würfelturm]]|''Würfelturm'' (2023)]]
|  
|  
|-
|-
! scope="row"| pine
! scope="row"| pine
| [[File:pine log drying in attic.JPG|70 px]]
| ''log''
| ''log''
| forest (left over by workers a few weeks before ''<???>'')
| forest (left over by workers a few weeks before ''<???>'')
Line 51: Line 55:
| (poor) chop block, then firewood (2017-5)
| (poor) chop block, then firewood (2017-5)
| first "attempt" without any effort, no big surprise...
| first "attempt" without any effort, no big surprise...
|-
! scope="row"| beech
| [[File:early beech drying attempt.jpg|70 px]]
| ''log''
| sawn from fallen tree ''<???>''
| one side splintered, no special treatment
| uninsulated attic since ''<???>''
| surprisingly okay, no continuous splits
| [[File:Carpenter's mallet - Lukas.JPG|thumb|150px|link=[[Project:Mallets#Carpenter's Mallet]]|mallet head (2020)]]
|
|-
|-
! scope="row"| apple
! scope="row"| apple
| [[File:apple logs prepared.JPG|70 px]]
| three logs approx. ø 8{{x}}45 cm
| three logs approx. ø 8{{x}}45 cm
| orchard
| orchard
Line 64: Line 79:
* {{£bench}} since ''<???>''
* {{£bench}} since ''<???>''
|
|
| ''planned: [[woodturning]]''
|  
[[File:Captive rings 16.jpg|thumb|150px|link=[[Project:Captive Ring Turning]]|captive ring baby rattles (2019 & 2024)]]
''also planned: more [[woodturning]]''
|  
|  
|-
|-
! scope="row"| cherry
! scope="row"| cherry
| [[File:checked cherry painted.JPG|70 px]]
| ''small piece''
| ''small piece''
| gardener at the JKI Dossenheim (2016-12)
| gardener at the JKI Dossenheim (2016-12)
Line 74: Line 92:
* too late - already had several cracks
* too late - already had several cracks
|  
|  
* ''$home since <???>''
* uninsulated attic since 2017-2-20
* {{£bench}} since ''<???>''
* {{£bench}} since 2017-12-17 ''at least''
|  
|  
|
|
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|-
|-
! scope="row"| maple
! scope="row"| maple
| [[File:checked maple painted.JPG|70 px]]
| ''small piece''
| ''small piece''
| gardener at the JKI Dossenheim (2016-12)
| gardener at the JKI Dossenheim (2016-12)
Line 87: Line 106:
* too late - already had several cracks
* too late - already had several cracks
|  
|  
* ''$home since <???>''
* uninsulated attic since 2017-2-20
* {{£bench}} since ''<???>''
* {{£bench}} since 2017-12-17 ''at least''
|  
|  
|
|
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|-
|-
! scope="row"| beech
! scope="row"| beech
| [[File:spalted beech painted.JPG|70 px]]
| ''small log''
| ''small log''
| sawn from fallen tree (2017-2-5)
| sawn from fallen tree (2017-2-5)
Line 101: Line 121:
|  
|  
* uninsulated attic since 2017-2-20
* uninsulated attic since 2017-2-20
* {{£bench}} since ''<???>''
* {{£bench}} since 2017-12-17 ''at least''
|
|
|
| ''planned: [[mallet]] head''
| "marbled" with some kind of fungus ([[spalting]])
| "marbled" with some kind of fungus ([[spalting]])
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Robinia''
! scope="row"| ''Robinia''
| [[File:lumberjack cake stand 02.JPG|70 px]]
| ''large log''
| ''large log''
| sawn from fallen tree 2017-10-21
| sawn from fallen tree 2017-10-21
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* {{£bench}} since 2017-10-31
* {{£bench}} since 2017-10-31
| nice overall, some cracks (could have started before treatment)
| nice overall, some cracks (could have started before treatment)
| [[Project:Lumberjack Cake Stand|wedding cake stand]] (2018-4)
| [[File:Lumberjack cake stand 00.jpg|thumb|150px|link=[[Project:Lumberjack Cake Stand]]|wedding cake stand (2018-4)]]
|
|-
! scope="row"| apple
| [[File:outdoor dried apple log.jpg|70 px]]
| ''small log''
| uncle's firewood pile 2018-10-7 (cut approx. 6 months earlier)
| cut faces sealed 2018-10-8
* [[paraffin]] (dripped from burning candles)
| balcony until ''<???>'', then {{£bench}}
|
|
|
|-
! scope="row"| ash
| [[File:outdoor dried ash log.JPG|70 px]]
| ''small log''
| uncle's firewood pile 2018-10-7 (cut approx. 6 months earlier)
| cut faces sealed 2018-10-8
* [[paraffin]] (microwaved candle stumps and drops from burning candles)
| balcony until ''<???>'', then {{£bench}}
|
|
|
|-
! scope="row"| beech
| [[File:outdoor dried beech log.JPG|70 px]]
| ''small log''
| uncle's firewood pile 2018-10-7 (cut approx. 6 months earlier)
| cut faces sealed 2018-10-8
* [[paraffin]] (microwaved candle stumps and drops from burning candles)
| balcony until ''<???>'', then {{£bench}}
|
|
|  
|  
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ash
! scope="row"| ash
| [[File:ash log paraffin treatment.JPG|70 px]]
| ''large log with "handle" branch''
| ''large log with "handle" branch''
| roadside (left over by workers a few days before 2018-3-3)
| roadside (left over by workers a few days before 2018-3-3)
| cut faces covered when brought to the Space
| cut faces covered when brought to the Space
* [[paraffin]] (melted with [[Heat Gun|heat gun]] right on the wood)
* [[paraffin]] (melted with [[Heat Gun|heat gun]] right on the wood)
| put under {{£bench}} immediately (2018-3-3)
|
| ''planned: axe/hammer handles''
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''unknown - maybe apple?''
| [[File:putative apple log + glue.JPG|70 px]]
| ''small log''
| spring cutting in gardens 2019-1-29
| cut faces covered with two coats of [[Wood Glue|wood glue]] 2019-2-4
|  
|  
* put under {{£bench}} immediately (2018-3-3)
* stored on balcony at first
* {{£bench}} since 2019-2-28
|  
|  
| ''planned: axe/hammer handles''
|  
|  
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''unknown - willow, linden, poplar, ash, <strike>alder or sycamore</strike>??''
| [[File:Kim's mystery timber.JPG|70 px]]
| two thick logs:
* ø 37{{x}}20 cm
* ø 34{{x}}27 cm
| [[Narquadah]] (cut ''around'' 2018-10)
| cut faces covered with [[Wood Glue|wood glue]] 2019-2-13
| put under {{£bench}} immediately; removed upon discovery of boring beetles 2019-2-27; brought back in 2020-3-21
| probably failed due to insect infestation - waited too long after felling
| ''planned: bowl turning''
|
|-
! scope="row"| zwetschge (yup, that's the English name)
| [[File:cut up zwetschge before sealing.JPG|70 px]]
| nearly an entire tree:
* ø 14{{x}}100 cm
* ø 12{{x}}55 cm
* ø 10{{x}}30 cm
* ø 8{{x}}80/55/35 cm
* ø 6{{x}}55/35 cm
* ø 5{{x}}60 cm
| grandma's garden 2019-2-18
| cut faces covered with tree wound sealant (silicone or [[Wood Glue|wood glue]]-based by the smell of it?) on the same day
* the fungizide part of the sealant is not necessary, but this is what we had at hand
* the largest log was also stripped of its bark
* smallest piece (wedge) sealed with [[paraffin]] instead
| carport "attic"
* little wedge brought inside immediately
|
| ''planned: at least some [[furniture]] & knife scales''
|
|-
! scope="row"| pear
| [[File:pear branch cut faces.JPG|70 px]]
| two medium branches:
* ø 7{{x}}45 cm
* ø 5{{x}}40 cm
| grandma's garden 2019-2-18
| cut faces covered with tree wound sealant (silicone or [[Wood Glue|wood glue]]-based by the smell of it?) on the same day
* the fungizide part of the sealant is not necessary, but this is what we had at hand
| carport "attic"
|
| ''planned: ornamental [[woodturning]]''
|
|-
! scope="row"| tree of heaven ''(Götterbaum)''
| [[File:Götterbaum-Reststück.JPG|70 px]]
| leftover pieces from log splitting
| Micha/scrap bin 2019-5-29
| split 2019-5-28, no further treatment
| {{£bench}} after splitting
|
| [[File:Carpenter's mallet - Lukas.JPG|thumb|150px|link=[[Project:Mallets#Carpenter's Mallet]]|mallet handle]]
''also planned: carving or [[woodturning]]''
|
|-
! scope="row"| wild cherry
| [[File:wild cherry logs sealed.jpg|70 px]]
| two logs: ''not measured yet''
| garden 2019-10-26
| faces sealed with [[Wood Glue|wood glue]] 2019-10-27 & 2019-10-28 (3x over existing small checks); smaller log stripped of its bark
| balcony since 2019-10-27; {{£bench}} since 2020-3-21
| stripped log soon became cracked, the one with intact bark "survived" the balcony period well
| ''planned: furniture''
|
|-
! scope="row"| cherry
| [[File:old cherry.JPG|70px]]
| old branch from long-dead tree
| garden 2020-3-28
| rotten portion chopped off with a [[hatchet]], split in half; sawn into boards after about a month
| outside
| superficial splits had already formed - should have been cut into boards even earlier
| ''boards''
|
|-
! scope="row"| cherry
| [[File:curved cherry.JPG|70px]]
| curved young log
| garden 2019-2-2
| faces sealed with [[Wood Glue|wood glue]]; curved section sawn in half lengthwise 2020-3
| {{£bench}} since 2019-2-28
| cut into straight and curved section 2020-2-20 - seemed rather nice already
| [[File:Nudelholz.jpeg|thumb|150px|tapered rolling pin for {{P}} (2020)]]
[[File:Kletter-Schlüsselbrett.jpg|thumb|150px|key holder for climbing enthusiasts (2023)]]
|
|}
|}


Line 139: Line 292:
* '''wood discs''' can reportedly be placed in a bucket of [[sawdust]] to dry, be treated with "wood hardener" or weighed down in a stack and rotated every few weeks
* '''wood discs''' can reportedly be placed in a bucket of [[sawdust]] to dry, be treated with "wood hardener" or weighed down in a stack and rotated every few weeks
** not tried yet, but as they are really hard to dry it's best to not cut the timber into discs when still fresh!
** not tried yet, but as they are really hard to dry it's best to not cut the timber into discs when still fresh!
* thin-walled bowls turned out of "green", non-dried wood can supposedly by dried in triple paper bags without checking (cracking)<sup> [http://customwooddesign.com/turninggreenwood-1.html]</sup>
** completely different approach, could allow to skip the drying step for some projects?
* write down some of this "theory" part more nicely
* write down some of this "theory" part more nicely
** drying speed with grain, role of bark, importance to cover faces
** drying speed with grain, role of bark, importance to cover faces

Latest revision as of 23:10, 18 May 2024

ProjectInfoBox

Drying Timber

Drying freshly cut lumber.JPG
Status: ongoing
Release Date: started in 2016, first products in 2018
Initiator: Lukas
Team: Luzian, Patrick;
kind contributions from Airlag, Narquadah & Jaggi2
Materials Used: various kinds of wood;
wood glue, paraffin, clear lacquer
Tools Used: chainsaw, pocket chainsaw, hacksaw, drawknife
Approx. Cost: mostly time & space


Before actively looking for sources of unprocessed timber or rough-cut boards for woodturning blanks or projects like a "river table", I want to experiment with drying and storage techniques to see which works best. Drying too fast will cause the wood to crack while incomplete drying allows fungi to grow.

Here you'll find my experiences! Different woods are tested as they probably won't behave alike.

  • some photos
  • apple logs in late 2016

    apple logs in late 2016

  • apple discs in late 2016

    apple discs in late 2016

  • the pine log in late 2016

    the pine log in late 2016

  • cherry, ash, maple and another log in late 2017

    cherry, ash, maple and another log in late 2017


Progress/Results

Species (Early) Photo Approx. Dimensions Source Treatment Storage Outcome Use Notes
yew Airlag's yew logs.jpg two logs Airlag none Lukas' workbench since 2019-2-6; garage approx. 5 years before that shorter log: single straight crack down the middle (bark to center)
Würfelturm (2023)
pine Pine log drying in attic.JPG log forest (left over by workers a few weeks before <???>) bark mostly gone already, no further treatment uninsulated attic since 2016-9-25 not too great (poor) chop block, then firewood (2017-5) first "attempt" without any effort, no big surprise...
beech Early beech drying attempt.jpg log sawn from fallen tree <???> one side splintered, no special treatment uninsulated attic since <???> surprisingly okay, no continuous splits
mallet head (2020)
apple Apple logs prepared.JPG three logs approx. ø 8 × 45 cm orchard cut into pieces for various approaches:
  • 1.5 cm discs with and without bark
  • untreated log
  • log with cut faces painted over
  • log with bark removed and cut faces painted over
  • garage (logs) or basement/attic (discs) since 2016-10-3
  • Lukas' workbench since <???>
captive ring baby rattles (2019 & 2024)

also planned: more woodturning

cherry Checked cherry painted.JPG small piece gardener at the JKI Dossenheim (2016-12) cut faces painted after two months outside
  • double coat of clear lacquer
  • too late - already had several cracks
maple Checked maple painted.JPG small piece gardener at the JKI Dossenheim (2016-12) cut faces painted after two months outside
  • double coat of clear lacquer
  • too late - already had several cracks
beech Spalted beech painted.JPG small log sawn from fallen tree (2017-2-5) cut faces painted after two weeks outside "marbled" with some kind of fungus (spalting)
Robinia Lumberjack cake stand 02.JPG large log sawn from fallen tree 2017-10-21 (top) cut face painted when brought to the Space
  • double coat of wood glue and water mixture
  • left standing upright
 nice overall, some cracks (could have started before treatment)
wedding cake stand (2018-4)
apple Outdoor dried apple log.jpg small log uncle's firewood pile 2018-10-7 (cut approx. 6 months earlier) cut faces sealed 2018-10-8 balcony until <???>, then Lukas' workbench
ash Outdoor dried ash log.JPG small log uncle's firewood pile 2018-10-7 (cut approx. 6 months earlier) cut faces sealed 2018-10-8
  • paraffin (microwaved candle stumps and drops from burning candles)
 balcony until <???>, then Lukas' workbench
beech Outdoor dried beech log.JPG small log uncle's firewood pile 2018-10-7 (cut approx. 6 months earlier) cut faces sealed 2018-10-8
  • paraffin (microwaved candle stumps and drops from burning candles)
 balcony until <???>, then Lukas' workbench
ash Ash log paraffin treatment.JPG large log with "handle" branch roadside (left over by workers a few days before 2018-3-3) cut faces covered when brought to the Space put under Lukas' workbench immediately (2018-3-3) planned: axe/hammer handles
unknown - maybe apple? Putative apple log + glue.JPG small log spring cutting in gardens 2019-1-29 cut faces covered with two coats of wood glue 2019-2-4
unknown - willow, linden, poplar, ash, alder or sycamore?? Kim's mystery timber.JPG two thick logs:
  • ø 37 × 20 cm
  • ø 34 × 27 cm
 Narquadah (cut around 2018-10) cut faces covered with wood glue 2019-2-13 put under Lukas' workbench immediately; removed upon discovery of boring beetles 2019-2-27; brought back in 2020-3-21 probably failed due to insect infestation - waited too long after felling planned: bowl turning
zwetschge (yup, that's the English name) Cut up zwetschge before sealing.JPG nearly an entire tree:
  • ø 14 × 100 cm
  • ø 12 × 55 cm
  • ø 10 × 30 cm
  • ø 8 × 80/55/35 cm
  • ø 6 × 55/35 cm
  • ø 5 × 60 cm
 grandma's garden 2019-2-18 cut faces covered with tree wound sealant (silicone or wood glue-based by the smell of it?) on the same day
  • the fungizide part of the sealant is not necessary, but this is what we had at hand
  • the largest log was also stripped of its bark
  • smallest piece (wedge) sealed with paraffin instead
 carport "attic"
  • little wedge brought inside immediately
 planned: at least some furniture & knife scales
pear Pear branch cut faces.JPG two medium branches:
  • ø 7 × 45 cm
  • ø 5 × 40 cm
 grandma's garden 2019-2-18 cut faces covered with tree wound sealant (silicone or wood glue-based by the smell of it?) on the same day
  • the fungizide part of the sealant is not necessary, but this is what we had at hand
 carport "attic" planned: ornamental woodturning
tree of heaven (Götterbaum) Götterbaum-Reststück.JPG leftover pieces from log splitting Micha/scrap bin 2019-5-29 split 2019-5-28, no further treatment Lukas' workbench after splitting
mallet handle

also planned: carving or woodturning

wild cherry Wild cherry logs sealed.jpg two logs: not measured yet garden 2019-10-26 faces sealed with wood glue 2019-10-27 & 2019-10-28 (3x over existing small checks); smaller log stripped of its bark balcony since 2019-10-27; Lukas' workbench since 2020-3-21 stripped log soon became cracked, the one with intact bark "survived" the balcony period well planned: furniture
cherry Old cherry.JPG old branch from long-dead tree garden 2020-3-28 rotten portion chopped off with a hatchet, split in half; sawn into boards after about a month outside superficial splits had already formed - should have been cut into boards even earlier boards
cherry Curved cherry.JPG curved young log garden 2019-2-2 faces sealed with wood glue; curved section sawn in half lengthwise 2020-3 Lukas' workbench since 2019-2-28 cut into straight and curved section 2020-2-20 - seemed rather nice already
tapered rolling pin for Patrick (2020)
key holder for climbing enthusiasts (2023)

Further Ideas

  • get/make a moisture meter
  • there is an Instructable on kiln drying at home, but it seems to require lots of space and electricity
  • try cheaper and ecologically safer options than clear lacquer for painting cut faces
  • wood discs can reportedly be placed in a bucket of sawdust to dry, be treated with "wood hardener" or weighed down in a stack and rotated every few weeks
    • not tried yet, but as they are really hard to dry it's best to not cut the timber into discs when still fresh!
  • thin-walled bowls turned out of "green", non-dried wood can supposedly by dried in triple paper bags without checking (cracking) [1]
    • completely different approach, could allow to skip the drying step for some projects?
  • write down some of this "theory" part more nicely
    • drying speed with grain, role of bark, importance to cover faces
    • start with long pieces - gives you room to cut off cracked ends
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