[AlArchie]

That post on Kiln dried vs air dried got me wondering about the measure of moisture content. Is that 12% figure a measure of weight, volume or is it a relative figure like in air humidity?

Al

[bygeorge]

Moisture content is the weight of water in a piece of wood, measured as a percentage of the weight of the same wood completely dried. (from Chris Pye)

Chuck

[AlArchie]

Thanks, Chuck, I guess that makes sense!

Al

[brian bailey]

Here's an interesting link concerning MC.

http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-156.html

[AlArchie]

Thanks, Brian.....I'll save that page and go over it a bit more thoroughly late, but that gives some very comprehensive info. From what I see it still didn't cover the other question about the difference in hardness in air or kiln dried wood. I have that question sent into the USFS wood Lab in Madison, Wisconsin, and hope for an answer from them shortly. They have been very helpful with my "probings" in the past.......good people!

Al

[brian bailey]

I'd be interested in what "FPL" has to say on the hardening ?.

I do know that wood becomes stronger as it dries.

Also, when the cells start to lose their bound water they start to shrink and become more dense.

Is this densness being confused with hardness?

I also know that wood improperly dried in a kiln can become brittle esp. if dried at high temps. and taken to a to low of a moisture content.

I air dry my wood and then finish drying in the kiln. But, I use a low temp. dehumidification kiln to reach the 6 - 8% mc that's suggested for furniture lumber.

All my carving woods are air dried and just put in to the kiln to sterilize the wood.

I don't believe you need to dry carving wood any lower than the equalibrium moisture content of the area that you live in. In most cases in the US, the emc is around 12%.

But that is just my opinion.

[Irish]

Ok ... I know absoluety nothing about wood moisture, curing times and temperatures, air vs kiln ... but I do know that if you have an overly dry piece of wood that you have already started to carve take it to the bathroom with you the next time you have a hot shower!

Just set the wood down somewhere, take your shower and when you are done close the door to keep the steam inside the room. Later that day or the next morning the dry board will have soaked up just the right amount of moisture to carve nicely.

Susan

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Always a catch! Ya tellin' me ya gotta take a bath....no sef respectin mountain man takes a bath more'n bout one'st a year!

[Kenny_S]

Yeah! Wheather he needs it or not!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's da truf!!!!!!!!!!!!

PUWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!