Wood is hygroscopic – it gives off water and takes on water as the environment changes. So, wood is continually shrinking and expanding as it acclimates to the environment. Freshly cut or “dead green” wood can have over 100% moisture content so it will shrink a lot as it dries. Woodworkers know that the recommended moisture content of wood for furniture or indoor use is 6% to 8% (for the area I live). This is based on the equilibrium moisture content of the inside of homes in a designated region. Everyone I know who works with wood uses kiln dried or air-dried wood. Many prefer air-dried and some like kiln dried wood. Which do you prefer? I live on a farm, so I have the pleasure of storing wood (properly ricked) in my barn loft for a period of time prior to placing it in the kiln. I have an EBAC LD-800 dehumidification kiln so I can dry about 800 to 1000 bd ft of wood to the recommended moisture content. Obtaining logs from various places and having them milled to my specifications results in a nice supply of quality boards. With patience and time I can have properly dried wood for my woodworking habit. How do you obtain dried wood or how do you dry your wood? If you need your wood dried contact me and maybe I can help you.
Enjoy your shop time,
Jerill