beginner

[EZland]

Josh these guys are great on this forum.  No question is never too dumb, ask everything.  and if you do not believe it watch them ask each other even if they been in the "business"  for years.  I am working into a business, from a wood working hobbies.  Right now to me it is just another wood working tool, but milling or furniture business is a business.  Make a plan.  The mill is tool of the trade.  Do you research. 

Where is my market?  Is it a service or product?  Product you have to store and sell.  Service you get paid for by the piece, hour or whatever.

Product, where can I get it.  at the source or delivered. 

Equipment, how much, too much, finance, or not  Sawdust lover hit some key points on equipment. 

Are you a one man operation or employees.

Make a business plan,  outline, etc.  It will help you take the advice and put it in a organized manner. 

Key a great attitude, in business people remember that far longer than job messed up. 

I am not trying to sound like a know it all, just some dong the same research.

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

And Welcome to The Forum Josh  ;) ;D ;D ;D 8) You have chosen a dang good mill to start out with  ;)  ;D as people have said we are hear to help Mate  ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) 8)

Regards Chris

[drobertson]

When you get the kiln running, start with a small batch first. I would make a top plate with stickers that match your stack, and have it weighted to match or slightly exceed a complete bundle for the kilns' capacity.  Then go through the process, keeping notes and times of temps. Trial and error is the only way to perfect your conditions.  I would be very selective on the grade you dry, meaning go for the clearest of stock possible, allowing some room for pin knots, the size of your thumbnail or so,,then move on from there,   you can do it,
just remember, this is why when one buys finished dry oak, it takes a thick wallet. unless it is given to them by dad.

[josh]

When you air dry the wood,  what is a good height for the stack to be off the ground?  Is there a something that should be down on the ground like a vapor barrior, gravel, or something else to make sure the bottom row doesn't get mold and stained?

[WDH]

The stack need to be about a foot off the ground.  A vapor barrier, like thick plastic, on the soil would do fine.

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

As Danny said 12"+ is ideal I achieve that with two 8x6" timbers the length of the stack you want to make and 4x3 to 6x3" on edge every 2' I screw them down to the timbers so I can pick them up with the loader in your climate I would not make your stacks wider than 40to48" wide 36" would be good too in your climate  but it all has relation to how high you want to go  ;) where i ran a h/wood drying op I had 40+ acres  that was stacked 20' high on 6' wide packs but we had good drying conditions too  ;) and a good Air Dry Yard (stack)is always on Gravel it keeps it drained and dry as well as making it easy to control grass/weeds you dont want your nice stack 12" of the ground with 2' of grass around it  ;) :D

Regards Chris