Wood drying question

[Matt Vanderpan]

There is a guy I met a couple weeks ago who builds log cabins. He uses mostly Norways and Spruce to build with. Most of the logs are fresh cut to 6 months old. He told me that I can have as much scrap as I want, but my question for you guys is, how long should I expect it to take to dry? Most of the pieces are 14-20" Diameter and cut in half and ranging in length from 1'-3'. I have painted the ends but my question is should I square them up to help with drying or will that be more detrimental?

-Thanks, Matt

 

[Lee Harker]

I believe the rule of thumb is 1 year to 1" of thickness. It all depends where it's stored, how it's stacked and anything else. I saw in a Wards Brothers book where they stacked 1/2 rounds in a rack in the back of their barber shop.

 

[S Stevenson]

Lee is correect, the rule of thumb for air drying lumber is 1 year per 1 inch of thickness. However, it can take a lot less time if you are more proactive in drying the wood. I would go to the Wooden Boat magazine web site and ask this same question. YOu can dry this wood faster just by bringing it indoors.

 

[Wispete]

I agree with the 1" per year, air dried. Since you have 1/2 logs much thicker than decoys, you could slab them with a chainsaw. You will have less stress cracks in the wood than if they are 1/2 round. It was a good idea to seal the ends. If you don't leave two to three inches on each end longer than a decoy.

If It is important to have them dry quicker and you have a dehumidifier you can make a simple wood drier with visquine and duck tape.

A second option is a small half green house. Plywood on one side visquine on the ground and back to the top of the plywood, facing the sun. With a small fan blowing air through the ends. This method will dry the wood in two to three months.