Okay, so I'm a hobbyist. Let's say I buy some wood, but not a lot because I want to stay married. How do I gauge the moisture content of the lumber and find out if it's ready to work with? Is this just a "learn as you go" process? Do I need to buy my 6x6's six years before I need them? 
Sure, I can certainly pick up a board and go "****, this thing is wet", usually because I hear my back give out. And conversely, if I pick up a 4x4 cedar post and it floats out of my hands feeling like balsa, then I can expect it to be pretty dry.
Since what I buy is at an unknown point somewhere between "green" and "dry", and I obviously don't know how far, can you rough-figure by weight? I mean, is there a table of moisture percentages that show the general weight of a particular wood per board-foot? That would be a cool resource. Or should I get a moisture gauge? I have no idea how they work, where they come from or how expensive they are....
Sure, I can certainly pick up a board and go "****, this thing is wet", usually because I hear my back give out. And conversely, if I pick up a 4x4 cedar post and it floats out of my hands feeling like balsa, then I can expect it to be pretty dry.
Since what I buy is at an unknown point somewhere between "green" and "dry", and I obviously don't know how far, can you rough-figure by weight? I mean, is there a table of moisture percentages that show the general weight of a particular wood per board-foot? That would be a cool resource. Or should I get a moisture gauge? I have no idea how they work, where they come from or how expensive they are....
)]
Comment