I'm relatively new to woodworking and have heard varying advice about acclimating wood before using it. If I buy some 8/4 Walnut from a local shop where it's been stored under a roof but not precisely climate-controlled, and my shop is about 10 miles away in similar conditions, do I really need to wait for it to acclimate? Some sources suggest having it in my shop for at least two weeks, but I'm wondering if that's necessary in my situation. Would love the insights from more experienced woodworkers!
3 Answers
In your scenario, you might be fine not to wait too long, especially if both locations have been experiencing stable weather. However, it's rare for the humidity levels to be exactly the same, and you should consider how long the lumber has been at the shop. A few hours or several months makes a difference!
I'd suggest letting it acclimate for at least a month, especially since most of my projects end up in climate-controlled homes. If it’s surfaced (S4S), you can start working with it sooner, but I'd still recommend some time for it to adjust.
What does it mean if it's S4S? Does that really change anything? Wouldn't it still move?
I usually start milling as soon as I bring wood home, but I have a unique situation since I air-dry my lumber pretty close to my shop. I’ve never had issues doing it that way, but every piece of wood behaves differently!
That’s cool! What kind of projects are you working on with your self-milled wood?
Got it! I'm in LA, so the weather is relatively consistent, but I’ll keep an eye on how long it’s been at the shop. Thanks!