I have a chance to buy both Cherry and walnut that has been “dried” outside in the air uncovered for about 4 years. It has a light grey covering but the wood is solid and strait and cheap $1-$2 per bd ft for some fairly decent stuff.
I am assuming if I bring it into my basement and let it air dry another six months I could build a table and a few simple pieces of furniture with this, yes? Or will outsie, uncovered air drying make it somehow unstable?
Thanks!
Chris
Replies
Chris
How thick are the boards? Rule of thumb for air drying is one year per inch of thickness. Cherry wood and UV rays don't get along well. The UV's will cause the cherry to darken. That being said if you could get one or two boards (of each) and plane it down to see how far the gray color has penetrated will tell you if it is worth while. Walnut is less prone to damage from the UV rays.
Be careful of insects as well. I purchased some beautiful (outside air dried) black walnut several years ago. Put said walnut in a warm garage only to be infested with Beatles and a few other creepy crawly's.
I am not saying don't buy it just giving you some food for thought. The price sure sounds good.
Good luck
Mark
Sounds like a deal! I wouldn't worry too much about any damage from the air dried wood. There are several mills around these here parts(CT) and that is what they all do. I bought a slab of 12/4 white pine years ago in Maine and it had been air dried for 5 years outside. Just a little grey on the exterior, but cleaned up beautifully. As long as the place that milled the wood knew what they were doing, you should have some good material.
You should be fine as long as there's no obvious rot / insect damage.
You should re-post this on the Knots forum; you'll probably get more responses.