Well has anyone built or used a small kiln to continue to dry woods? I of course buy wood from a hardwood supplier and a few on line places like most of us do. They always say its kiln dried to whatever 6%-9% which should be at least in my area central Pennsylvania what I’m looking for except the hardwood supplier they European style dry outside stacked for the year per inch thick and kiln dry and have inside. But we all know those readings from a meter only measure the outside of the board.
I also keep in my shop where I have between 35%-45% relative humidity for at least a year before I use it. I have had a fretboard come back to me that I handled this way and it shrunk enough to have fret sprout on 30% of the fingerboard edge and also a top with a lot of creep. I do use epoxy with my neck glue ups and for fretboards as of late to keep from introducing water but I was wondering about building like a small closet with some incandescent bulbs underneath an area big enough to dry out a body or two and possibly a neck so during my building process I could make sure I am working with completely dry woods.
I know many of the large “factory” style shops like Keisel, PRS and some others that after procuring kiln dried lumber they kiln dry it more and Keisel even after neck glue ups puts them in the kiln again for stability. There is a good amount of energy being used to run those kilns so it must be worth it in terms of getting a much more stable product with less chance of shrinking or moving.
Anyone here thinks it unnecessary or maybe work this way and have suggestions? I have heard of converting old refrigerators etc...
I also keep in my shop where I have between 35%-45% relative humidity for at least a year before I use it. I have had a fretboard come back to me that I handled this way and it shrunk enough to have fret sprout on 30% of the fingerboard edge and also a top with a lot of creep. I do use epoxy with my neck glue ups and for fretboards as of late to keep from introducing water but I was wondering about building like a small closet with some incandescent bulbs underneath an area big enough to dry out a body or two and possibly a neck so during my building process I could make sure I am working with completely dry woods.
I know many of the large “factory” style shops like Keisel, PRS and some others that after procuring kiln dried lumber they kiln dry it more and Keisel even after neck glue ups puts them in the kiln again for stability. There is a good amount of energy being used to run those kilns so it must be worth it in terms of getting a much more stable product with less chance of shrinking or moving.
Anyone here thinks it unnecessary or maybe work this way and have suggestions? I have heard of converting old refrigerators etc...
