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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Malvern east
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    Default Timber Slab moisture question

    Hi all,

    I'm Kev from Melb, new to the Forum.

    I have a question about the acceptable moisture in my Messmate slab before I start levelling and sanding it. At the moment it is averaging around 10% with some areas as low as 7% and some closer to 12%. The piece is 1200 x 3500 and has been drying and sitting for sometime now.
    I don't want it to curl once finished and inside but wanted to ask the brains trust for best advice.

    What is an acceptable level for it to be before I start? And if still too wet is there a way to help the drying process out?

    Thanks.

    Kev

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,756

    Default

    How thick is it?
    Were are you currently storing it?
    Where are you going to work on it?
    Where is it going to reside when finished?

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Malvern east
    Posts
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    Default

    Thanks BobL,

    Sorry I missed the thickness part.

    The Slab is 45mm thick currently, it's being stored in my garage in blocks currently. The garage is dry and water tight. I will do all the work there then it will live in my dining room which will have air/heating, some direct sun.

    thx Kev.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    3,551

    Default

    Moisture content in a slab is tolerable at about 10%. The variance between 7-12% is quite normal for freshly air dried slabs. This variance will balance out with time. It's ready to work.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,756

    Default

    10% air dry is ok to start working on it, it depends where you are in terms of whether its going to get much dryer.

    I know it's pretty heavy but can you store it on the long edge up against a wall in the dining room for say a month or two?
    That will give you an idea of how much it will move and then work it in the garage and it should be OK.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Malvern east
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rustynail View Post
    Moisture content in a slab is tolerable at about 10%. The variance between 7-12% is quite normal for freshly air dried slabs. This variance will balance out with time. It's ready to work.
    Thanks Rusty, it’s a big slab and I needed to be sure so it doesn’t go to waste once I start work. Appreciate the advice. [emoji106]


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  8. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Malvern east
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    10% air dry is ok to start working on it, it depends where you are in terms of whether its going to get much dryer.

    I know it's pretty heavy but can you store it on the long edge up against a wall in the dining room for say a month or two?
    That will give you an idea of how much it will move and then work it in the garage and it should be OK.
    Thanks Bob, I think it was prob kiln dried at some stage but has certainly been sitting for a while. I might try and move it into the house for a bit and see if the boss is happy with it.


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