Kiln drying timber

[grim_d]

I am looking at purchasing a large qty of monkey puzzle (Chilean pine) slabs which are green.

I would be looking to leave them air drying for around 6 months and then have them kiln dried (properly, in a dehumidification kiln) along with a sycamore I'm planning on slabbing.

When I mentioned this to the seller he adamantly (angrily) insisted that monkey puzzle cannot be kiln dried.

I don't see why not and the internet's offers me no insight.

Anyone know?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

It can be.

But it needs to be sir dried in the right conditions, what vary a lot.
The kiln drying, as far as I know , is done longer slower and at a lower temp.

I will need to did out the old old 1930's wood working book to be sure.

 

[sako243]

@8ob?

This might offer some insight - I guess because of all the knots then you need to be careful about how it's dried.

monkey puzzle puzzle

Hi all, I am milling a large monkey puzzle tomorrow, 3 lumps at 10ft long each over the 30 ft it tapers from 3ft 6" to 2ft 6". im not sure what it will get used for, any advice on what thickness i should mill it? if it can be milled too thin or thick and have problems drying? it has started to go...

arbtalk.co.uk

 

[Barking Mat]

I'll ask my mates with a sawmill, and an industrial sized kiln thingy.

No guarantees, but I'll ask.

 

[grim_d]

It can be.

But it needs to be sir dried in the right conditions, what vary a lot.
The kiln drying, as far as I know , is done longer slower and at a lower temp.

I will need to did out the old old 1930's wood working book to be sure.

That'd be good if it offered some insight, thanks.

@8ob?

This might offer some insight - I guess because of all the knots then you need to be careful about how it's dried.

monkey puzzle puzzle

Hi all, I am milling a large monkey puzzle tomorrow, 3 lumps at 10ft long each over the 30 ft it tapers from 3ft 6" to 2ft 6". im not sure what it will get used for, any advice on what thickness i should mill it? if it can be milled too thin or thick and have problems drying? it has started to go...

arbtalk.co.uk

Fortunately there are hardly any knots, on the boards I've seen anyway.

I'll ask my mates with a sawmill, and an industrial sized kiln thingy.

No guarantees, but I'll ask.

Appreciate that.

 

[8ob]

Depends on what its being used for.

Bob

 

[gaz1]

theres a free way

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Found the book, in the loft.
It was also found with some other good bits.

The wood of the Monkey Puzzle tree is a wood that is imported into Great Britain, from our former overseas territories and our Commonwealth.
Do not expect it to be found in great quantities in your local wood yard. As it is hardly used in Great Britain, except by those wood working enthusiasts who seek an unusual timber for smaller projects.

While the timber from the Monkey puzzle tree is no it to be found in the forms of lengths of bulks it can be found in lengths of multiples of 6feet length. Normally in the the nominal size of 6 feet by 2 to 4" in the bulk sawn or in the form of a specific cut, quarter sawn.

This will normally found in the foreign timber section of your of your local independent Timber yard. Or those who are near the great import docks, as it can be imported as cargo space fillers on the bulk transport ships.

No matter in what form it is brought from the timber yard it is advised the wood is again seasons prior to use in the workshop or manufacturing area.
This because oversea yards will not have the high quality of standards we have in Great Britain.

Kiln drying is not recommended for by most companies and organization in Great Britain, due to the nature of the wood. All that the auther spoke to in his research advise air drying poor to seasoning in a hot dry air kiln.

Prior to assembly of the drying rick it is strongly advised that the timber is checked for investment of mould, worm and larvae. Do not rely on the documents supplied, as these can be less than accurate when dealing with an over sea dealer. Communication to resolve any defects can be expensive and drawn out.

Seal the end grain with melted bees wax. A number of applications will be required. Then arrange the timber into a square rick. Ensuring the the gaps between the sawn timber is equal or greater than the thickness of the timber.
Using the guide in appendix IV calculate the time required to bring the timber to the figure listed.

The wood worker may be considering purchasing one of the new battery operated Moisture probes entering the market. The asuther views are that as they are a worthy investment for those who dry timber on a regular basis the average person will find them a expensive gadget.

When the timber as reached 10 to 20% moisture it can be kiln dried.

It is very important to stress and put upon the kiln operating employee that you have the timber of the Monkey Puzzle tree. It is the experience of the author, that the operating person of the kiln is experienced in the operations of the kiln. Rarely do they come across errotic timber imports.
They will have the approved documentation to dry the timbers, but the important of the time and temperature is critical. As normally no compensation can be obtained if the process results in timber only suitable for the fire.

The drying process should be carried out long, slow and at a temperature suitable for the bulk thickness of the timber.

That is a abridged version from the book.

 

[Turbo]

We were given some green Monkey Puzzle logs at the Mens shed. It sat upright in a corner for a few months until we did a tidy up. The logs were glued to the floor by the sap/resin that had run out & pooled on the floor. It had set rock hard like fibreglass resin & was nearly impossible to remove!

We cut up the logs for the wood turners, they only wanted the bits with the knots. The rest of it had gone very soft in the middle so I can't see how it could be any use as a construction material. Most of the stuff we got went for firewood!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@Turbo

Yes great MIS donations. Can not always be fun.

 

[grim_d]

@The_Yellow_Ardvark - thank you for taking the time to type that out, super useful. What is the book if I may ask?

@Turbo also good Information, thank you

I think I'll be leaving it then....it's not even that interesting a timber.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@grim_d
The Modern Wood working Companion. Dated 1934.

 

[mike os]

You won’t be able to kiln sycamore at the same time

 

[grim_d]

You won’t be able to kiln sycamore at the same time

I just wanted to transport it at the same time for efficiency.

Anyway, we've decided not to take the monkey puzzle, not worth it.