Using dowels

[cliffreaves]

Does anyone use dowels as stickers? I realize you would need to have squared off stickers at each end, but overall there would be less contact with the lumber. I recently found some 3/4" &1" x 3ft dowels for cheap and it got me to thinking. Less sticker stain perhaps?  Or what do you all use for stickers?

[kelLOGg]

They would have less contact with the wood which may allow for faster drying but I think they would roll out of place too easily before the next board goes on top. You may have a good deal on them but I can't imagine they are cheaper than those you can cut yourself.

[Ljohnsaw]

With less contact area come greater PSI.  You would likely dent the wood on the lower layers as all the weight is concentrated along that narrow contact point of each sticker/dowel. 

[cliffreaves]

Great points. I need dry stickers and I don't have anything dry to make into stickers. I hadn't thought about potential denting. Just looking for a cheap option. Perhaps I'll just rip some 2x4s down.

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

1x2, actual 3/4 x 1-1/2", are ready to go and not too expensive. 

The concentrated load on a small area will crush the wood and can affect subsequent processing.

[cliffreaves]

1x2's sound even better!  I most definitely do that.

[Ianab]

Yeah, generally stickers should be more than 3/4", but less than 1.5".  I use 1 x 1 rough sawn because I can make them easily as I'm sawing. But the "finished" 1 x 2 fit's the guideline as well,  so If you have to buy something, it may as well be that. 

It also depends what you are sawing. I can dry cedar and cypress on green stickers cut as I'm milling (edgings) and they are fine. Other species you need to be more careful and use dry sticks. I have a good stash now, and make sure to use dry when it matters. And I still make a few new ones when I'm milling.