Board drying question

[Rosss]

I milled some Elm into boards 1 1/4 inches thick and 10 inches wide.

Is there a way to dry one of them enough to turn a section into a cutting board, by this Christmas with out wrecking them in the attempt?

My house has very low humidity due to the very drafty windows and forced air heat. So they would likely dry quickly in the house.

Thoughts, suggestions, how to?

 

[oaktreeguy]

I'm just a newbie but id suggest getting them in a flat place (horizontally), stickering with narrow stickers... at least 3 stickers or every 18" of length (whichever uses more stickers), and putting a lot of weight on top of the boards. Your biggest challenge will probably be cupping, followed by twist.

Do you want to use them as single solid pieces, or cut strips and re-assemble, possibly with other types of wood mixed in (not necessary)? If the board cups you could still cut narrower strips and reassemble.

 

[Brian72]

If it's freshly milled, you'll have issues as it dries out. You can always try. If you don't get good results, build another later with dry stock.

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[Mad Professor]

If you dry too quickly you might have issues with checking, did you end coat the boards?

When were trees cut summer or dormant? How long ago were boards milled?

 

[buzz sawyer]

Stacking in a hot attic can speed up drying time but Christmas is pushing it. Try to use quarter sawn boards - much less likely to warp. Best way is to cut thinner strips - 1 to 1 1/4" wide and glue these faces together, then plane flat and cut to size.

 

[lone wolf]

I milled some Elm into boards 1 1/4 inches thick and 10 inches wide.

Is there a way to dry one of them enough to turn a section into a cutting board, by this Christmas with out wrecking them in the attempt?

My house has very low humidity due to the very drafty windows and forced air heat. So they would likely dry quickly in the house.

Thoughts, suggestions, how to?

Yes next Christmas you need to use dry wood to make nice stuff .

 

[lone wolf]

5 years I waited for this Walnut to dry.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I milled some Elm into boards 1 1/4 inches thick and 10 inches wide.
Is there a way to dry one of them enough to turn a section into a cutting board, by this Christmas with out wrecking them in the attempt?

That fast answer is NO.

Drying them fast can be done, but not with good results unless you put them in a drying kiln and use a special drying schedule.

Just because your house is dry and you can dry the lumber fast, that isn't necessarily a good thing!

SR

 

[Brian72]

5 years I waited for this Walnut to dry.View attachment 615481

Very nice!

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[Brian72]

Stacking in a hot attic can speed up drying time but Christmas is pushing it. Try to use quarter sawn boards - much less likely to warp. Best way is to cut thinner strips - 1 to 1 1/4" wide and glue these faces together, then plane flat and cut to size.

That's a very good pic to explain the differences to beginners.

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[lone wolf]

Very nice!

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Thanks. I make them every year.

 

[Rosss]

That fast answer is NO.

Drying them fast can be done, but not with good results unless you put them in a drying kiln and use a special drying schedule.

Just because your house is dry and you can dry the lumber fast, that isn't necessarily a good thing!

SR

What is a special drying schedule?

 

[Mad Professor]

What is a special drying schedule?

.

Used in kiln drying to suit needs of :type of wood, moisture content, thickness, etc........

 

[Brian72]

Thanks. I make them every year.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you treat them with?

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[lone wolf]

If you don't mind me asking, what do you treat them with?

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Howard cutting board oil I got it at home Depot actually.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've built piles of cutting boards, most salad ect. oils, just have fancy names for mineral oil, and mineral oil is what I always use...

Mineral oil is cheep, if bought under "that" name from K-Mart or other stores like that, you will find it in the pharmacy dept..

SR

 

[Brian72]

Howard cutting board oil I got it at home Depot actually.

Thanks

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[Brian72]

I've built piles of cutting boards, most salad ect. oils, just have fancy names for mineral oil, and mineral oil is what I always use...

Mineral oil is cheep, if bought under "that" name from K-Mart or other stores like that, you will find it in the pharmacy dept..

SR

Thanks Rob

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