working with logs

[paulc]

i want to make some pieces out of logs which have been felled in a local wood for about four months , how long should i leave them to dry before cutting and carving and how should i treat the pieces in order that they should not rot or crack when finished , im not sure what the wood is but it is very hard to drill, any info would be much appreciated , thanks paulc

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Paul

You're probably best off roughing out the pieces in the green, quite a bit oversize. If they are stacked with stickers between (to allow air flow) and sheltered from direct sunlight and rain they should air dry down to about 16 to 18% RH at the rate of approx. 1in thickness per year, i.e. if you have 3in thick components they will take 3 years to reach approx 16% in the centre. Overwintering in a dry workshop should then bring the RH down to 12% or so. Have you got a meter to check progress?

Regards

Scrit