I just recievede my new Comprotec moisture meter today and went right out to the kiln to try it out. This is my first moisture meter and I have to say that it seems very well built, especially for only costing around $70. It’s also made in Canada and has a three year warranty, and not made in China, which was another great feature…..... So back to the load in the kiln. All of the 4/4 boards are between 7-9%, with the 5/4 at 14%, and the thicker boards around 20%. So after around 100 days in the cold midwest winter the solar kiln has done its job. The 4/4 boards have virtually no end checks or warp/twist. I tried ripping a board to see if it would bind the blade due to internal stress and there was none.
I planed down a test piece and tried out three finishes; tung oil, shellac, and linseed oil. The coloring in the wood is great. Now its time to get to work on making furniture out of it!
Tung oil
Shellac
Linseed oil
Now to look onto the next load to go in. I will be cutting down a pesky silver maple in my front yard due to it destroying my sidewalk, driveway, AND sewer pipe. I am hoping to get 300 or more board feet out of it, which will be more than enough to build a new dining room table and chairs.
-- Julian, Park Forest, IL
8 comments so far
Mathew Nedeljko
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44 posts in 728 days
posted 276 days ago
That wood is going to make some really nice furniture! Congratulations on you success with the kiln, and I can’t wait to see what else you get out of it!
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SteveKorz
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2030 posts in 613 days
posted 276 days ago
Very cool… I may look into one of these…
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Tim Pursell
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392 posts in 681 days
posted 276 days ago
I’m glad the kiln worked out for you so well. I was skeptical it would work over the winter here in N. IL. The wood looks great! And you already have the next load lined up. It’s got to be exciting & fulfilling.
Congrats!!
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drgoodwood
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388 posts in 1026 days
posted 276 days ago
What brands of finishes did you use?
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Will Mego
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203 posts in 611 days
posted 276 days ago
Very nice, I was excited when you posted the klin, very cool to see how well it worked during this very wet winter we’ve had.
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marcb
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705 posts in 572 days
posted 276 days ago
Quick question. How does the excess moisture get out of the kiln?
I didn’t see any note on that in the series. Thanks for the info. I have a chunk of space behind my shop between the shop and the fence that I might be able to squeeze a little kiln into.
Julian
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695 posts in 424 days
posted 276 days ago
Tim, I was skeptical also. I figured it would take at least till april for the 4/4 to get to 7%.
Drgoodwood, I’m not sure of the brands, but it’s what was on the shelf at Menards.
March, There is 4 openings in the rear of the kiln. Two up high, and two down low. They are 8×12 and can be closed to keep the moisture in if needed.
-- Julian, Park Forest, IL
TopamaxSurvivor
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3070 posts in 574 days
posted 144 days ago
Hi Julian, i just found this project. How’d the wood trun out? Dry now? did you run a fan in there 24/7?
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