I have roughly 150 - 200 board feet of black walnut that I have been air drying for 18 months. The slabs still have the bark on and are 8/4. Would it help the drying process if I skip planned them before I restacked them? Last I check the moisture several months ago they were between 8% - 10%
I do not know where you live but this sounds like equilibrium moisture content for where I live. That means they are as dry as they can possibly get air drying. You would have to use some type of kiln set up to get the moisture lower, put them in a hot attic or in a tent with a dehumidifier
Currently I have the slabs in a basement and I will be moving them into the attic of my new shop in the next few weeks. Unfortunately the weather is getting colder so the attic won't be as hot as I would like for awhile. Without utilizing a kiln will I be able to use it eventually?
For where I live in S.E. Missouri 8-10% would be considered ready to use. If in fact its 8-10% all the way through the slab, not just the outside surface.
What differences should I expect when working with air dried opposed to kiln dried?
I was going through my stash of cherry this weekend and I found a large set of bookmatched slabs that I am going to use for our new dining room table. The outside moisture label varied between 8.5% - 9.5%. I am gonna let it dry over the winter in the attic of my shop before working with it.
Thanks everyone. Hopefully I will have time this winter to start our table.
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