i was wanting to build some picnic tables out or red oak,and some pretty elm and didnt know if i needed to kiln dry it or what. trying to get the process down without building a table that would crack and twist. the logs got cut yesterday and milled/stacked today.where should i go from here?
Assuming you picnic outside, the wood should not need to be kiln dried. But completely air drying the wood will minimize movement and splitting surprises after you finish the tables.
Red oak is not rot resistant, so avoiding ground contact will help the table legs last longer. They will wick moisture up from the ground. Even putting a flat stone under each leg will help, but don't be too surprised to see some rot in the legs first. Standing water on the table surface will invite some mold to begin growing.
is their a sealer i should put on it? if so what kind?
Truly green picnic tables should be green wood :D or ERC, black locust, or white oak. Anything else will rot out in less than 8 years if outside without protection.
For a finish, enamel paint will last longer than anything at 4 to 6 years. My last failure was Silkens which required a new coat at least once a year. Twice a year would have been better. With one of the above woods no finish would be maintenance free but you would need to like rustic.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,19617.0.html
I hope you have a planer. You need to surface the wood to avoid splinters with all the contact surfaces.
A router with a round over bit is good for edges and corners. Planing can make for a sharp edge and people have been known to fall, trip or get pushed.
i have the wood working tools,but i just started milling and wasnt sure about the wet wood. thanks for all input.