How to Prepare Freshly Cut Wood for Planing?
Asked by TimberTamer91
I recently cut some slabs from a tree using my chainsaw, and I have a few questions about preparing it for the planer. First, what's the best method to prep these slabs? I was considering using a belt sander. Second, I noticed there's some dark wood in the center of the slabs, and I'm wondering if that's rot or heartwood, especially since part of the tree was rotten. Finally, if it's water damage, is that still workable?
Answers
Before doing any prep work, you'll want to let the wood dry out for a while. It typically takes several days to weeks, depending on how thick the slabs are. Trying to plane it too soon is just going to lead to issues later on. And if you're not using a kiln, plan for about a year of drying time per inch of thickness!
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I totally agree! It's best to keep the slabs rough until they're fully dry. Look into sticker stacking them or using a kiln. Just be prepared for that long drying period!
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If you're in a pinch, you could try to thin the pieces down a bit to speed up the kiln drying process. It might help, but make sure you're careful with how much you take off.
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WoodWizard87: Yeah, it's true! Even with a kiln, drying still takes a good amount of time. Patience is key if you want to avoid warping.