I use green wood for rough turning and then dry it for finish turning. Often a piece of wood is excellant in color or grain but too small or wierd shaped for turning. I would like to cut these pieces into small planks to use for box making or other small projects. The pieces may be as small as 4 x 6 inches and probably under 6 x 12 and I would like to get 1/4 to 1/2 in thick stock when dry. Is it necessary to sticker the wood while it drys since it’s so small to begin with? I tried cutting a few pieces about 3/8 to 1/2 in thick without stickering them and they warped a lot. Would it be advantageous to cut the wood thicker first, say 1 in, let this dry and then resaw it?
Also, what is the best way to support these small pieces on a sled so that I can run them through the planer?
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I have an idea I haven't put to the test yet, but it could very well work for you. First of all, I would keep the pieces 1" thick or so. The plan is to make a "mini-stack" of stickered wood (small pieces such as you describe) with a nice flat piece of hardwood on the top and bottom, all banded tightly together with nylon webbing and adjustable fittings (like a fanny-pack or back-pack would have). Check the wood every few days and tighten as necessary, eventually the drying pace would slow. This system would solve the problem of small stacks being a pain to move around and the fact that they take up too much space for what you get out of them.
I've bought my webbing, on sale at a big-box fabric store. The fittings can be found at a sporting goods store, or cheaper on-line if you buy in bulk.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
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