Homestead mailing list

[Don Bowen KI6DIU <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

At 10/5/2007, you wrote:
> Getting the wood is just part of the deal, you either learn to build
> with it green or you learn to dry it. Either way you need to seal the
> end of the log right after  you cut it . Anchorseal works great for
> this https://www.uccoatings.com/prod_anchorseal.php . Sealing the
> ends helps stop the checking (cracking) as it drys so even if you are
> going to use it green having the end sealed is a good thing.

Painting the ends with cheap or free miss mixed paint from the hardware 
store works just as well and costs a lot less.

> You can sticker it and dry it too. Lumber takes a year per inch to
> dry. A year an inch, so a 2x4 will be ready in 2 years.  If it's cut
> too thin the checking & warping can be worse. The times can be
> shortened a bit with some drying technology (there are solar dryer
> designs out there).

You have to turn a stickered pile every so often.  And in some woods you 
have to be careful what wood is udes for the stickers.



Don Bowen              Awl Knotted Up                       KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com