Potential DH KILN?

[Deese]

Okay, my granddad has all kinds of stuff on his place...Yesterday I was thinking of possibly making some sort of kiln for drying my lumber.
I've decided that I definitely want to build a solar kiln, but was thinking of a DH kiln as well...

Here's a pic candidate #1 for the DH kiln:


 
It's in pretty bad shape and the floor is surely rusted out. It may be more trouble than it's worth...

And here's candidate #2


 
This is a fully functional (I think) walk-in cooler that is encased in a large building and moving it is completely out of the question...

Here's another pic of candidate #2


 
Please excuse the alcoholic beverages (bar business).
The cooler is never used. Is there a way that I could use this as a DH Kiln without compromising the integrity of the cooling system? My grandfather said I could use it if quote--"AS LONG AS I DID NOT *&$# IT UP".

What do you fellas think? Is there a practical way I could make this work?

[Deese]

There is no way that I can afford a Nyle right now. How well do you think putting a little automatic heater in there along with a small air dehumidifier?
I don't really see a reason why it wouldn't work...
I mean, it's just sitting here begging me to use it (candidate #2)

[red oaks lumber]

i don't believe a home dehumidifer can with stand much heat.

[Deese]

I was scared of that.

[pineywoods]

i don't believe a home dehumidifer can with stand much heat.

The cheap home dh units I use in my solar-dh kilns have a high-temp shutoff that shuts the compressor off at much over 100 degrees,but leaves the fan running. I use that feature to cycle the dh on at night and off during the day..

[Deese]

Thanks Piney. My problem is that I don't currently have a way to vent the moist air when the dehumidis off...I guess I'm just scared of mold issues. This thing is super insulated, plus its sitting inside of another building and the temperature doesnt change much in a 24 hour period. 

I think it would be worth experimenting with though...Using air-dried lumber only, I should still be able to get my wood dry enough for interior use, just may take a little longer and probably won't be able to get it hot enough to set pitch in pine etc.  But if I could get it up to around 100F+ and run a dehumidifier with fans, that should do the trick. Literally zero $ invested and no matierals other than home dehimid unit, little electric heater, and either those fans that are already in there or simply a box fan. I'm excited :-)

[beenthere]

How are you planning to monitor the temps and humidity in the "chamber" ??

Or monitor the drying rate of the wood?

Opening the door every time you want to check it out, seems would defeat your plan.

[Deese]

Beenthere, I'm not sure at this point. I've got some time before I'll have more air dried lumber ready. I've sold all my 1" lumber and all I've got left is a ton of 2" syp lumber that's been stickered in a barn for about 10 months...I don't really see any need to dry it any further. I'll be cutting a bunch of poplar beginning in the next 2-3 weeks and will air dry it for a few months before its ready for further drying...So I figure I've got 3 months before I'll have lumber ready for the "kiln chamber".
Maybe I can get some sort of digital thermometer from radio shack with an outside monitor and have a thermostat controlled heater and dehumidifier. I'll have to get one of those moisture meters to check drying progress...
It will def be a learning experience

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

If you are going to sell this lumber (in other words, drying is a business), then the kiln is a depreciable business expense.  So, you can actually afford spending a bit more on the kiln chamber and equipment.  And, as a business, you do want something that will last a bit longer and that people will look at and be impressed (from a business sense).

[Deese]

I agree Mr Gene,
Your input is valued and appreciated. I do plan on cutting/drying/planing/marketing/selling my own specialty hardwood lumber one day like WDH and YH. If/when that time ever comes, I would definitely have a much nicer/more efficient setup. I've just got to get some drying experience under my belt. I printed the plans for the VT solar kiln and will def be building one in the next couple months.

[deepsouth.us]

I'm watching this thread closely, deese, as I'm currently thinking in exactly the same direction you are.

I recently picked up a mill from a ff member, and I suppose my inexperience lead me to be a bit naive. Seems as though one thing leads to another. I had no idea that I'd soon be building a kiln, trading for a skid steer and searching for a planer.

I'm in the restaurant business, and I have a large supply of surplus restaurant equipment. One particular piece is an 8x11 walk in cooler, which I hope to load and haul to the farm this afternoon .

My current thoughts on setting this rig up are as follows. First I think I'll move the fan bank from the rear wall to the front wall, above the door. I figure if I lose a fan motor while I have a charge in the kiln this will allow easier access to said motor. Also figuring on setting the heater and dh unit in the front for the same reasons. I intend to punch thermostat control, thermometer, hygrometer, and dh discharge through the wall.

So, gang, does it sound like deese and I have potential with these builds? What are the holes you see in our operations?

[Den Socling]

Loading and unloading one board at a time through the man-door. That's got to get old, quick.

[mesquite buckeye]

I'll say. :(

But if you don't have any equipment, it is the same. You can always build something better later. ;D 8)

[deepsouth.us]

Den and mesquite buckeye, you have excellent points on the limitations of a single 30" door.

I'm due to trade on a skid steer this coming Monday. I have plenty of expansion metal lying around. Reckon I could cut a whole side wall out, build a rigid hinged frame and lathing. Fix the metal frame and lathing to the to the section of wall to create a BIG door. Only trouble I see then is sealing it off. Perhaps just aluminum tape in between loads?

[Deese]

Okay, okay, okay---I do this every single time when trying something new. I start teeny tiny small and progress from there....For example, before purchasing my mill I explored the world of chainsaw milling. After "beating that idea to death" I went ahead and bought a manual sawmill (EZ JR). Then I explored the options for sharpening my own bandsaw blades. It's kinda embarrassing looking back----I wanted to try using a Dremel tool...who has time for that!?! Hey--it may have worked but my goodness--who has that kind of time to burn?!? So I bought and still use the automatic COOKS Cat Claw Sharpener. ITS an amazing sharpener. But I hardly have time to sharpen blades. I'm still learning about shaping the stone, hook angles, etc etc etc and its lots of fun, but for the sake of time, it's easier just to ship your blades for resharpening. But getting back to this topic---drying lumber, as with every other aspect of the wood processing procedure---you have got to decide what your future plans/goals are. For me, I yearn to be recognized as one of the best suppliers of quality hardwood lumber in my area within the next 5 years. .