Hey everyone! I'm planning on doing some large steam bending projects and I've heard from several folks that using fresh sawn or air dried oak is way easier and more effective for this purpose compared to kiln dried oak. Unfortunately, I can't find any local suppliers who offer fresh or air dried oak. I'm considering reaching out to bigger industries that might use this type of wood. I know barrel makers and barn builders typically use air dried oak, but getting what I need from them has been tough. Does anyone have suggestions for larger industries I could contact? Thanks a lot!
2 Answers
You know, it’s kind of surprising you haven't found local suppliers for fresh or air dried oak. From my experience, there are definitely smaller, more rural operations out there, even if they don't pop up in typical searches. A lot of times they might not market air dried lumber as much since kiln dried commands a higher price, so you might need to check in person. If you’re near any rural areas, it could be worth scouting around!
Regarding your question about kiln dried oak—it’s tricky! If you leave it out to air dry, it can take weeks to months, depending on size and humidity. But honestly, it seems like you’re looking for something very specific. And about those Amish suppliers, I totally get why you might be out of luck in the UK! Just keep searching, and maybe some local woodworkers might have leads too!
Yeah, I figured the Amish might be hard to find here! I’ll keep looking around and see if any local woodworkers can point me in the right direction.