I'm an amateur woodworker who's been forced into the hobby because I needed new cabinets for my kitchen and couldn't afford to buy them. I've got some birch, beech, and oak logs that are about 5 inches in diameter, sourced from trees that fell during a harsh winter. I'm considering using them for a laser engraver project, particularly to make coasters.
However, I've never worked with raw logs before; I usually buy pre-dried lumber. I'm looking for advice on how to dry these logs properly. They've been cut into lengths of about 20 inches—should I leave them as is or should I peel and slice them first? Also, how long should I expect the drying process to take, and what pitfalls should I be aware of? Any insights would be appreciated!
1 Answer
Consider building a solar kiln if you're looking for an economical and efficient drying method! I made one for under $100 using just 2x4s and plastic sheeting. It really speeds up the drying process and reduces issues with moisture.