Replies

1. 
   frenchy | Jan 22, 2005 11:25pm | #1

   Sticker with a dry wood that gives about an inch of air space.. sticker every 18 inches or so and make certain all of the stickers line up.   I'd go buy some of those cheap tie down straps the ratcheting kind and strap the wood together.    make certain the straps are directly over your stickers.  tighten everything up as much as possible and next week go back out and retighten everything.. eventually you'll be able to do it once a month and when six months go by without any more tightening needed you're pretty close to dry.  Cover the wood but don't smother it, you'll want it to breathe..  and keep it dry and out of direct sunlit..  

    some will suggest blocks or other weights but most of them leave behind grit and other stuff you won't want your planner blades to eat..

1. 
   macalex | Jan 22, 2005 11:47pm | #2

   And if it's hot and dry, you might want to slow down the drying rate fior the first few weeks or months

   M

    New Zealand | New Thinking

2. 
   JohnWW | Jan 22, 2005 11:59pm | #3

   Woodlady,

   Seal the end grain immediately, or you may lose a lot of wood to end checking.  The worst damage is done in the first few days so you have to act quickly.  Use latex paint or ordinary yellow glue to seal the ends, a second coat after the first one dries is good insurance.

   John W.

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 23, 2005 10:06am | #4

   Woodlady, what area do you live in that you got a Madrone log such as that one?  Wow!

   Anyway, madrone is extremely prone to twisting and other nasty movement.  I try to track down Bob Smalser and see if he can pitch in -- he should know of any precautions that might help.

   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" .... :>) 

4. 
   forestgirl | Jan 23, 2005 10:16am | #5

   Actually, I found Bob's Giant Madrone thread:
   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=17629.1

   He describes the stacking process and provides great pictures.  You can email him by clicking on his name.

   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" .... :>)