Snowballing wood kiln build

[dougan2469]

I couldn't take it... I had to put something in the kiln

I took your advice Yellow Hammer...This is my first oven dry load test and although it sounds like a royal pain in the bum. It's not as confusing as it sounds once you do it. I will be getting a better scale in the near future but this is a very good learning experience for me.

I tossed a 400 BF load consisting of walnut and white ash cut to 4/4+ 1/8" in to see what it does. This is how it is coming along...


I am trying to stay at or below 3% in 24 hrs because of the mixed load.

Does my calculations look correct?  Oven dry weight is 2.447 KG on the top left of the board.

If I haven't messed things up with my calculation I believe I will be drying loads this way from now on.  ;D 

[AlaskaLes]

We've got the Mini-Ligno DX/C kit that you gave away to a needy individual and it works well.

I had a hard time finding a quality scale that would provide the fine resolution and also the large payload to weigh any sample board I was inclined to use.

Ended up buying a Mettler Toledo XTC-4001 from a scale store in town.
It will weigh 50lbs with .5 gram resolution.   I couldn't be happier.
Compared to the other options in this quality and range it was a good price at about $250.00.
Not cheap, but a fair price and it is very accurate!!
I'd buy it again in a second.

Our most recent kiln purchase was a box full of new/stronger draw latches for the loading doors.
The first set just wasn't strong enough and they're showing the strain.
These are rated for 250 lbs each or so.
Still cost almost $200 for a dozen latches...kilns done right are not a cheap tool...lol.