Solar Kiln 1/2 Scale

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

This weekend, my grandson (8 years) and I built a solar heated lumber dry kiln (Virginia Tech design obviously).  This half scale model is 2' x 5' floor and a 45 slope with a 18" front wall; it is for a class I am teaching this May about building your own kiln.  We are waiting for warmer weather (60s on this Tuesday) so we can paint the inside of the kiln black and do the painting outside and not smell up the house.  It is amazing how kids understand the basics...he said that this kiln is heated just like a closed car is in the summer and a black car is hotter, so that is why we use black paint on the inside.  (Grandpa is bragging a bit; my grandson does love to build things with wood and Legos.0.) 

[davemartin88]

Nice work!

I made a kiln with this design about 15 years ago with solar powered fans. I moved about 6 years ago and gave it to a friend of mine, it's still going strong! A lot of board feet of wood has been made using this design, thanks for sharing.

[WDH]

Great way to spend quality time with your grandson. 

[cbla]

Nice! I hope to build a little bigger version soon.

[Tree Dan]

Nice project Gean,
That will be handy for the small boards.

[samandothers]

Great job!