Tweet
I am looking to make a porch rocker and want to use some cedar that I have recently purchased. What moisture content is acceptable for an outdoor project?
-
\"Experience is the toughest teacher. You get the test first and the lesson later.\" -
Indoor or outdoor doesn't matter, IMO. Regardless you don't want the wood to move after it is where you put it at assembly. You will be applying finish to the rocker, that should stabilize the interior moisture content even tho the exterior ambient humidity is changing. I aim for 10% max, preferably 8%. With Eastern Red Aromatic Cedar, or White Cedar I might cheat some, both are pretty stable due to the oil content, Aromatic more so than White.
HTH, good luck with the rocker, please post some pics. -
Ken is 100% right on the money here.Comment
-
Thanks. I am between 12-15% right now depending on the board. I have a fan running in the garage for 4-6 hrs a day to keep air circulating. Any estimates on how long it might take to get to 8-10% ?
If I just had built that solar kiln...
\"Experience is the toughest teacher. You get the test first and the lesson later.\"Comment
-
In South Florida, we have a basically humid climate, but rarely does it get below freezing. Humidity during the period of one day could vary as much as 50% - 60%, within 4-5 hours. IOW it could go from 40% to 90% in that time or less.
For my outdoor projects with Cedar, I acclimate the stock in the area it goes, and then do the machining. Applying a finish doesn't insure the wood is sealed completely. Wood can absorb water vapor in the air from numerous areas. If I dry out the wood, and do machining and apply a finish, then put it outside, the wood will move. Likewise, if I bring a piece from the outside to the inside, it will shrink.Comment
-
Rumor has it that burying the wood in saw dust rockets the drying process??Comment
Comment