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Kilns for wood and such....

Bowkills

Well-Known Member
2,577
85
Nw oh
So most everything I do in life can't be found with easy online searches on how too's or asking at the hardware store and it s usually blank stares. So I'll ask here I'm building a badass fireplace at my folks place. They want a narley mantel. No saw mill will have a wild ass piece like they want so I found a dead slippery elm (I think just last year) not to buggy no rot) I might try to make shift kiln dry it or take it somewhere but will it crack all to hell and back in a kiln? Dead at least a year.......
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bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
Where are you located? I spent 2 years building a database on Ohio's forest and wood products industry. I can probably get you connected to someone with a kiln. I can also direct you to information on building a solar kiln (cheaply) and could put you in contact with one of the country's foremost experts on drying lumber. I'd say it will split some, but being dead and done in a controlled manner, it won't be anything that couldn't be milled out depending on how you want it finished.
 

Bowkills

Well-Known Member
2,577
85
Nw oh
Where are you located? I spent 2 years building a database on Ohio's forest and wood products industry. I can probably get you connected to someone with a kiln. I can also direct you to information on building a solar kiln (cheaply) and could put you in contact with one of the country's foremost experts on drying lumber. I'd say it will split some, but being dead and done in a controlled manner, it won't be anything that couldn't be milled out depending on how you want it finished.
I'm in nw oh a few miles from the hoosier St line. I don't want to take it to a kiln andpay for to it look like a piece of popcorn when it gets out. It's got settle cracks as is now. I cut it way longer than what I need due to splitting ends but wondering if I'd get laughed at taking it to a kiln. I might try making a make shift kiln just to get this dry....
 

Jamie

Senior Member
5,691
177
Ohio
the trick to drying wood is to start off slow, and if possible to allow moisture to escape from every side. I've dried 2 1/2" x 18" x 8' osage boards for bow building without a kiln. drying bow wood is probably more sensitive than drying a large piece for a mantel because checking and warpage destroys bow wood. maybe not so much with heavy hard wood for interior trim. since it has been standing dead with no bark on it for a year, or more you are probably way ahead of the game in terms of getting the mc down to equilibrium with ambient humidity. what will the final dimensions of the piece be? what size is your board now?
 
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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
There’s a guy in Elmore Ohio (almost 2 hours from you) that probably has what you want laying in the weeds someplace. He is very reasonable and very socially awkward. My dad and I have been buying stuff from him for 20 years now. I’ll save money by driving 3.5 hours (one way) to buy it from him.
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