Hey everyone! I'm racing against a deadline to finish a project by October 2nd, but I've hit a snag. I ordered some 2x2 pressure treated balusters from Home Depot, and when they arrived, they were all wet. I'm wondering how long it's going to take for them to dry out enough so I can plane and sand them. I saw online that it might take weeks or even months, which isn't great news. Any advice would be super helpful!
3 Answers
It sounds like a tough situation! Usually, pressure treated wood isn't the best choice for making furniture, and it can take quite some time to dry out properly. The drying times can vary depending on how wet they are to start and the surrounding conditions, but weeks to months isn't uncommon. Just be cautious about using them for your project—there might be better alternatives!
Seriously, steer clear of planing that wood! It's treated for a reason and the chemicals involved can be pretty nasty. If you’re looking to make something nice, it might be worth exploring other options that are safer and easier to work with.
From my experience, pressure treated wood often comes wet because it’s soaked in chemicals and tightly packed for shipping. It might take a long time to dry out enough for sanding. You could be looking at three to six months in a garage, but it still might warp as it dries. Honestly, I’d recommend using something like cedar for better results in your furniture!
Yeah, if you’re dealing with that wood, just be prepared for it to look funny once you sand it. Definitely not ideal for furniture!
Totally agree! Instead of waiting for the wood to dry, it might be best to return them and look for something that’s untreated for your table project.