DIY Wood Kiln

[Sawdust=manglitter]

I've been tempted to make my own wood kiln so i can dry small quantities of my own timber at home. Its not something I'll be making yet, but I'm putting together a shopping list of what I'll need so I can save a bit or buy a few bits now and again.

What I have in mind is that I'll make some sort of modular system with insulated panels that I can put together in various shapes and only need to tape the joins with foil tape, like if I only wanted to dry a couple of 1x1m slabs or separately had around 10 planks of 1x6", I wouldnt have a load of wasted space. I'll probably use a domestic dehumidifier which I already have and use maybe halogen bulbs for heat.

What I wondered was does anyone know whether there is such a product that I could use to plug in the heat source which has a temperature sensor on a cable and a switch, so I set the temperature and when it reaches that it would automatically switch off, and auto turn back on when it drops too low?

Also, should I also put in a fan to blow air as well as the dehumidifier?

Does anyone else have any experience of making their own kiln?

Thanks

 

[Woody2Shoes]

Hi - I've not (yet) built one for myself, but I'd try and use solar energy as my heat source (and just use electric fans for circulation). There are some good design ideas out there e.g. on Youtube etc. http://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/solar-kiln is the sort of thing I would do.

For simple thermostatic controls you could do worse than a CH stat e.g. http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating ... tat/p79840
Or even a thermostatically controlled heat source: http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk ... tor-223017

Have fun! W2S

 

[CHJ]

Suggest you do a forum Search on drying kiln and plough your way through some of the threads. I know others on the forum have made their own.

 

[whiskywill]

What I wondered was does anyone know whether there is such a product that I could use to plug in the heat source which has a temperature sensor on a cable and a switch, so I set the temperature and when it reaches that it would automatically switch off, and auto turn back on when it drops too low?

I was looking at this only yesterday for a different application but it should suit. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Arri ... 268.u2CcwG

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Or even a thermostatically controlled heat source: http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk ... tor-223017

Good shout W2S, and even if I didn't use it for the kiln that would be handy to have around for that price! Thanks

Suggest you do a forum Search on drying kiln and plough your way through some of the threads. I know others on the forum have made their own.

Thanks Chas, I have had a good look around everywhere, but couldn't find much in the way of a temperature sensor switch thing

I was looking at this only yesterday for a different application but it should suit. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Arri ... 268.u2CcwG

That sounds like the exact kind of thing that would be perfect, thanks wiskywill... but I'll have to try find someone to hold my hand with the wiring of it etc. Out of interest what was your application?