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Wasted Lumber from Woodweb
This conversation dealt with a topic that comes up often in woodworking discussions: the storage and usability of wood. How good is it when it’s been stored a certain way, and what could make it better? The original post provided the background. – Editor
“There is a cabinet shop that closed due to the death of its owner. His widow stored 5,000BF of [kiln-dried] hardwoods outside but under a roof. It has been there for a year, but this is on the Oregon coast and very a damp place. Will this lumber crack, split, warp,or twist if used for indoor projects? Would having it KD again do any good or would it only make it warp?” – Norm
He received some standard advice about letting the wood acclimate to a new environment, and, after mentioning that he was sure it had been rained on, some additional thoughts on drying. - Editor
“Before using it, move the wood you plan to use to the shop for it to acclimate to the environment. Two to three weeks should do it. Longer, if possible, is always good. Also a good practice would be to mill lightly, let it sit overnight, stickered, then finish milling the next day.” - Bob
“It will need to be dried again to bring the moisture down.
We have limited indoor storage and whenever we have extra flooring from a job it gets stored in our hoop house, side and top cover but no heat, in New England. We have our own Nyle L200 dehumidification kiln.” – Rick L
A question about just how much moisture might be in the wood brought an answer from WoodWeb founder Dr. Gene Wengert – and another issue to think about. - Editor
“I wonder if storing it inside for a length of time will bring the moisture back down? The wood will not regain all the moisture lost during the initial drying. The question is, how much moisture did it gain? A moisture meter would tell you this instantly.” – Jeff D
“The outside conditions are about 16 percent [estimated moisture content], so the wood, especially the ends, will be close to 16 percent [moisture content] after a long storage. It is critical in getting it back to 7 percent moisture content before using it so it will not shrink, warp, open glue joints in use. If the outside was less than 6 months, warm storage at 30 percent [relative humidity] should bring it down. Otherwise, a kiln.
“…In either case, insects (powderpost beetles) can be in the wood (It may take up to two years for the eggs to hatch, so sometimes the wood looks great, but the insects are there and will show up after something is made.) , so kiln drying to get the wood internal temperature to130 Fahrenheit would be the best.
“There may be beetles in the wood already, so keep this wood separate from any of your own wood (and other people's, too) until after it is dried.” – Gene Wengert
Loaning Tools: What’s Your Take from Woodworker’s Journal Blog
This discussion actually grew out of the comments generated in a previous discussion on our Woodworker’s Journal blog. When Chris Marshall, WJ’s field editor, asked readers about rules for their tools, one dealt with loaning tools – which prompted Chris to ask for further feedback on what woodworkers impose as rules for this particular process.
First, Chris highlighted the comment that sparked the discussion. - Editor
“I’ve just got to call attention to a topic raised by Ryan, in his response: If you’d like to borrow one of my tools, that’s okay. Just leave a deposit of 2x the replacement value of the tool on the workbench. Half of your deposit will be refunded upon return of the tool. The other half will be used to buy a new one, because chances are you’ve broken it, dulled it, rusted it, bent it or worn it beyond repair.”
And then shared his personal experience on the issue – and asked for that feedback.
“I’ve been in these situations before. I once loaned a post-hole digger out for so long I forgot that I even owned it. A nail gun spent about a half year moonlighting on a friend’s big remodel, but it came back in great shape—not everything borrowed is doomed. Should we take Ryan’s advice and put some terms to those loaned tools? Or, should we continue to be generous friends (and really cheap rental centers)? “ – Chris Marshall
For several respondents, the answer about loaning tools boiled down to “it depends” – on the tool and the person requesting it – with some offering the loan of their own woodworking skills along with the tool. – Editor
“My favorite hand plane? Never. A drill? Most likely. Manual screwdriver? Sure! For bigger tools, come on over, and I’ll help you with the project.” – Karl S
“If it’s something of decent value, chances are I’ll offer to come and help and bring the tool along with me – to my friend’s place and back home after.” – John G
“I do loan my tools, but only to a couple (like, two) trusted friends who will definitely take care of them. What I have less control over is when the family wants to borrow them and use them inappropriately. It’s much more common that, when someone wants to borrow my tools, they will be invited to my shop, and I’ll help them with the project.” – Gerry C
“I keep a few ‘junker’ tools around for people to borrow. Drills, circular saws, mini table saw; you get the idea. These are always cheap at garage sales or just given to you free because someone has died or divorced. Friends are welcome to borrow them anytime. If they get dropped off the ladder or otherwise abused, I don’t have to lose any sleep over it. Sometimes I even use them myself, like when I need to use a masonry blade in a circular saw, and I don’t want my good saw filled with grit.” –Walt W
Walt was not the only woodworker with certain tools he wouldn’t loan even to himself. – Editor
“My prized woodworking tools never leave my shop, not even for my own use in the house (home projects can be hard on tools, and it just isn’t worth it). I keep several duplicates of almost everything. I have a set for my own use in my house and another set that can be loaned out.” – Zach D
In case it’s not obvious why a woodworker wouldn’t want to loan tools, a couple of them spelled it out – including the one whose original comment sparked this discussion. – Editor
“I will be happy to help anyone, but the tools are my mine, if one is damaged it’s nobody’s fault but mine. Saves friends.” – Dan C
“While the original comment was made (mostly) in jest, the point is that almost nobody takes care of your tools like you do. Horror story: While visiting a neighbor, I noticed a portable generator sitting under a tree. You could tell by the amount of leaf and tree debris on it, as well as the rust, that it had been there a while. When I asked when he had bought a generator, he replied that it wasn’t his. He was just borrowing it from a friend.” – Ryan
And, finally we have a woodworker providing a very succinct answer:
“Never!” - Erie