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  1. #1
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    Default Kiln Drying (Melbourne): Help

    Hi folks,

    I am building the legs for a workbench. I'd acquired some nice reclaimed old Spotty which I milled a oversized by a few mm. Just as I was going to begin the joinery, I got myself a moisture meter and, as one does, I began testing these hunks of timber.
    I've found that I've been getting readings of 18% MC.
    The meter is a pin type Tramex, and I had it calibrated/set correctly for the density of Spotty.

    Considering a fair amount of work will go into this, and the last thing i want is it to move/crack or joints open...I was wondering if there was anyone in Melbourne who had a wood kiln that I could put these lengths into to reduce the %MC. I'd be more than happy to pay and to work to your schedule.

    It would be really really really appreciated!

    Kindest regards,
    Siggy

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  3. #2
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    Default

    Siggy, if it is reclaimed Spotted Gum I'd be really suspicious that the moisture detector is at fault.

    Have you tested some other random stuff around the shop? If other timbers around the shop for a year or two are showing that kind fo reading then you would know that's the problem.

    (Unless the timber was reclaimed from a pier or something that is )

  4. #3
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bendigo Bob View Post
    Siggy, if it is reclaimed Spotted Gum I'd be really suspicious that the moisture detector is at fault.

    Have you tested some other random stuff around the shop? If other timbers around the shop for a year or two are showing that kind fo reading then you would know that's the problem.

    (Unless the timber was reclaimed from a pier or something that is )
    Hey Bob,

    That was exactly my thinking. How the heck could reclaimed Spotty (which i bought from a guy who had it for some 10-15 years stored indoors) be that high...
    I bought 2 pieces of Spotty from him. The other piece measured in at 11%, which is exactly what I was expecting. Then I went around and tested a bunch of other known timbers I had from Jarrah to White Mahogany and Vic Ash. All checked out around 10.5-12%.

    The only reason i could think of why this piece is wet, is perhaps because it was stored on the floor and moisture seeped into it...but that theory went out the window because there are no water, fungus or rot marks. I took readings from all 4 sides of the Spotty.


    Weird weird weird.

  5. #4
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    Default Just Wait a Bit

    Hi Siggy

    I agree with the analysis by Bob and you.

    I am over-simplifying, but there are two types of moisture in timber:
    • Sap, and
    • Water.


    Sap from air drying green timber dries out at the rate of about 25 mm timber thickness per year. With the amount of time your spotty has been stored, sap moisture should have dried years ago.

    That leaves water that can "re-wet" dry timber. Sources could be a leaking roof, floor wicking, or even splashing from a bucket. This rarely penetrates very deep and usually dries quite fast.

    I suggest that you just wait about 7-10 days, and then remeasure the moisture content. About 12% should be ideal.

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by GraemeCook View Post
    Hi Siggy

    I agree with the analysis by Bob and you.

    I am over-simplifying, but there are two types of moisture in timber:
    • Sap, and
    • Water.


    Sap from air drying green timber dries out at the rate of about 25 mm timber thickness per year. With the amount of time your spotty has been stored, sap moisture should have dried years ago.

    That leaves water that can "re-wet" dry timber. Sources could be a leaking roof, floor wicking, or even splashing from a bucket. This rarely penetrates very deep and usually dries quite fast.

    I suggest that you just wait about 7-10 days, and then remeasure the moisture content. About 12% should be ideal.
    It really is a mystery!
    I brought the timber home about 4 weeks ago, when I rough docked and milled it straight away as I didn't have the space for a huge long plank. I generally always stack any timber that I get on little blocks, allowing it to acclimate to the workshop, which is insulated and has a split system AC(so humidity is fairly low).
    There were some gum veins, and borer holes and the sap deposits within them were hard, dusty and crusty. It was well and truly old and dry.

    The moisture meter is a pin type. The readings were taken roughly 3mm and then at 12mm below the surface by hammering the needles in, and the averages were worked out. Because I ripped the original board lengthwise in half, I took readings too from the cut faces, and these showed equal %MC to the other sides of the billets.

    I am puzzled, really. Is this a case where I just ignore the Moisture Meter readings on the common sense that the boards are that old they would have dried out a long time ago?

  7. #6
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Siggykc View Post
    It really is a mystery!
    ...
    I am puzzled, really. Is this a case where I just ignore the Moisture Meter readings on the common sense that the boards are that old they would have dried out a long time ago?

    It really is a mystery!

    Locally, my favourite timber celery top pine gives rather erratic moisture metre readings, but I have not heard of similar problems with spotted gum.

    Sorry, but I cannot help further.

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Siggykc View Post

    I am puzzled, really. Is this a case where I just ignore the Moisture Meter readings on the common sense that the boards are that old they would have dried out a long time ago?
    Yep, that's what I'd be doing

  9. #8
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    Default

    Coincidentally, I just got a promotional email from Australian Wood Review on handling moisture affected timber.
    Handling moisture-affected timber | WoodSolutions

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