iDRY Vacuum Kilns

Sponsors:

Planing Eastern Red Cedar

Started by KenMac, August 15, 2024, 11:40:28 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

KenMac

I spent about a half hour searching for the answer to my question, but failed to find what I need to know. I have a potential customer who wants me to kiln dry about 1133 board feet of 1x8x10' erc to be used for fence boards. He plans to plane and stain them. My question is this: what is the proper mc for these boards to plane and stain well? Thanks in advance for your help.
Cook's AC3667t, Cat Claw sharpener, Dual tooth setter, and Band Roller, Kubota B26 TLB, Takeuchi TB260C

doc henderson

I have done them rough sawn and air dried and they do well.  the kiln will speed this up.  I assume for outside, 12 to 19 % is fine for outside.  too dry and the area around knots may chip out.  may want to plane a little on the moist side.  I would be tempted to pull a board now and then at declining MC and see how smooth it comes out.  Is it a spiral planer?
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

doc henderson

air dried is about 9 to 12% here.  they will of course continue to air dry on the fence.
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

KenMac

If I understand him right, the customer's concern is the staining as much as planing. I'm thinking 10 to 12% is good for both, but would just like some informed opinions to go back to him with.
I don't know about the planer.
Cook's AC3667t, Cat Claw sharpener, Dual tooth setter, and Band Roller, Kubota B26 TLB, Takeuchi TB260C

doc henderson

We have built a few potting benches with ERC, and it seems to be pretty forgiving.  what is the EMC for the area?  we have just refurbished two that are outside, and they take stain well.  better than I would expect for what is a bit of an oily wood.  
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

KenMac

Air dried around here is about 12-14% maybe. Central Alabama.
Cook's AC3667t, Cat Claw sharpener, Dual tooth setter, and Band Roller, Kubota B26 TLB, Takeuchi TB260C

scsmith42

I've kiln dried and run thousands of bd fit of ERC thru my moulder. For your stated use, I would shoot for 12% - 14% if I were you.
Peterson 10" WPF with 65' of track
Smith - Gallagher dedicated slabber
Tom's 3638D Baker band mill
and a mix of log handling heavy equipment.

KenMac

Thank you very much!! That's what I needed to know.
Cook's AC3667t, Cat Claw sharpener, Dual tooth setter, and Band Roller, Kubota B26 TLB, Takeuchi TB260C

caveman

I'm a little addled.  Why would your customer need kiln dried wood to build a fence?  If I recollect correctly, ERC is about 33% MC coming out of a log, which should be fine to build a fence.  Air stack it for a few weeks, and it'll lose more % moisture.  I think he should be able to take the boards straight off of the mill and build his fence and stain it in a couple of weeks without any adversity.  
Caveman

KenMac

Hey Caveman. I had the same thoughts about the kiln drying, but I decided not to ask why. I have, in the past, talked customers out of buying my lumber or the need to kiln dry. This guy seemed certain he knew what he wanted.
Cook's AC3667t, Cat Claw sharpener, Dual tooth setter, and Band Roller, Kubota B26 TLB, Takeuchi TB260C

Magicman

You can not argue with know-it-all stupid.  I traveled and sawed a SYP job that was 275 miles away.  He wanted all 1X7's and after two full days of sawing which included two nights at a hotel, I finished.  When I was folding the sawmill up for the trip home, he told me that he was gonna build a rail fence with the lumber.  I was shocked and asked what kind of treatment/preservative he intended to use?  He stated that he was gonna paint it.  :shocked2:   :lipsrsealed2:
98 Wood-Mizer LT40 SuperHydraulic    WM Million BF Club

Two: First Place Wood-Mizer Personal Best Awards
The First: Wood-Mizer People's Choice Award

It's Weird being the same age as Old People

Never allow your Need to make money
To exceed your Desire to provide Quality Service

KenMac

I have heard of a paint made specifically for fences that is asphalt base? A friend used it on pine and likes it. Can't say that it will preserve the wood or last 20 years as they claim.
Cook's AC3667t, Cat Claw sharpener, Dual tooth setter, and Band Roller, Kubota B26 TLB, Takeuchi TB260C

scsmith42

My farm fences are 5/4 ERC that is untreated. 18 years in the planks are still fine.
Peterson 10" WPF with 65' of track
Smith - Gallagher dedicated slabber
Tom's 3638D Baker band mill
and a mix of log handling heavy equipment.

jimF

Is the fence used to restrain animals? Horses?

KenMac

If your question is directed at me, I have no idea why the customer wants to dry or stain the boards. We have only communicated via email. I have learned over the years that some folks just want what they want. If he wishes to pay me to dry it, I'm all for it. Not meaning to sound snotty about this. Sorry if it comes out that way.
Cook's AC3667t, Cat Claw sharpener, Dual tooth setter, and Band Roller, Kubota B26 TLB, Takeuchi TB260C

Magicman

I 100% your reply KenMac.  I do not ask and if they choose to tell, I do not give advice, just nod and move on.  If specifically asked, I will share what I know, but still do not give advice such as my Reply #10 above.

Just like my present sawing job, there is no way what I would saw over 100+ logs, just because the trees died, into 20+Mbf of lumber that I do not need. 

I am a sawyer, not a user.  All that I need is a cut list.
98 Wood-Mizer LT40 SuperHydraulic    WM Million BF Club

Two: First Place Wood-Mizer Personal Best Awards
The First: Wood-Mizer People's Choice Award

It's Weird being the same age as Old People

Never allow your Need to make money
To exceed your Desire to provide Quality Service

Thank You Sponsors!