NOTE: I use the word "kiln" here to indicate a structure/device that can control the environment enough to get good results when drying wood. It can be heated or not (I will give 3 inexpensive ways I have heated it). It can function during various seasons. It is not comparable to professional kilns. It simply gives the home woodworker a cheap way to control the drying process for his specific requirements.
I like to know costs up front so here is a list of the materials I used. The footprint is about 12' x 10' but can easily be modified to be larger or smaller.
I do not dry wood often... so I need something to serve as a kiln that is quick to put together, very cheap, does not have to be pinned to withstand wind gusts, & can serve as various types of kilns with slight mods. My kiln design is unique because I have unique needs. i.e. After use it must be able to be disassembled & stored using very little space (about 18"x12"x12'), it must be easy to modify for large variances in the length of the lumber, etc. I'd suggest you modify this design to meet your own needs. I'll toss out ideas about obvious changes and the ramifications of each.
Basically it is constructed using cheap 2x4s, cheap PVC pipe, and cheap plastic sheeting. If you use this a lot then I'd suggest a more robust design or at least use thicker plastic sheeting. The 4 mil sheeting will only last a few years. I prefer to replace the cheap sheeting when needed so that I don't groan so much when I stick a board through it The pine must be structurally sound but can look ugly. NOTE: Do not introduce diseased wood into any part of the kiln.
Materials Requirements for drying about 600-800 bd ft cut in 8' lengths.
Two 2"x4"x12' - cheap straight pine
Two 2"x4"x10' - cheap straight pine
Four 2"x4"x8' - cheap straight pine
Four 2"x6"x10' - cheap VERY straight pine
Four 2"x4"x10' - cheap VERY straight pine
Five 2"x4"x8' - cheap VERY straight pine
12 Blocks >=4" high x >=8" deep x >=8 long" that together can hold up to 1000s of lbs.
Two 1"x2"x12' - use whatever scrap that pieces together to be 12' long
Fourteen 3/4"x10' - Schedule 40 PVC pipe
38 approx. 2" wood screws (what ever is on hand)
50 to 80 3" nails of most any type (I used 2.5" finishing nails)
2 to 4 oz. yellow wood glue
EITHER
Four 3/4" 90 degree Slip Elbows - Schedule 40 PVC pipe
Ten 3/4" Slip Tees - Schedule 40 PVC pipe
OR
One 2"x4"x12' - cheap straight pine (that requires twenty 1 1/8" holes drilled in it)
One 20'x24' 4 mil Clear Plastic Sheet (about $20 at Big Box Discount Store)
One variable speed 20" (or larger) fan
Two digital thermometers with hygrometers (AKA humidity readout) (I bought 2 last year for $6 each but you can spend big bucks if you want)
One Moisture Meter for wood (resistive meters can be inexpensive & give reasonable results for at home use)
100' 1/4" nylon rope (or 100' of something to lash across the plastic sheeting... that will not shred the sheeting )
Three Nylon straps with ratchets >=3500 lb working load >=4' longer than the girth of your stack (27' are $17 ea at Big Box Building Supply)
For a "solar" kiln add:
One more 20'x24' 4 mil Clear Plastic Sheet
For an "insulated" kiln add (and yes... it can be an insulated "solar" kiln):
Ten 4'x8' Semi-Rigid Foam Boards - thickness based upon R-Value needs (for High R-Values use fiberglass batting w/facing)
To heat an "insulated" kiln add:
One inexpensive 12 amp thermostatically controlled heater w/fan (with safety's intact)
Tools needed...
Screwdriver
Drill
One 1 1/8" bit for holes <3" deep
Saw to make five 2"x4" cross-cuts
Generic Hammer
I like to know costs up front so here is a list of the materials I used. The footprint is about 12' x 10' but can easily be modified to be larger or smaller.
I do not dry wood often... so I need something to serve as a kiln that is quick to put together, very cheap, does not have to be pinned to withstand wind gusts, & can serve as various types of kilns with slight mods. My kiln design is unique because I have unique needs. i.e. After use it must be able to be disassembled & stored using very little space (about 18"x12"x12'), it must be easy to modify for large variances in the length of the lumber, etc. I'd suggest you modify this design to meet your own needs. I'll toss out ideas about obvious changes and the ramifications of each.
Basically it is constructed using cheap 2x4s, cheap PVC pipe, and cheap plastic sheeting. If you use this a lot then I'd suggest a more robust design or at least use thicker plastic sheeting. The 4 mil sheeting will only last a few years. I prefer to replace the cheap sheeting when needed so that I don't groan so much when I stick a board through it The pine must be structurally sound but can look ugly. NOTE: Do not introduce diseased wood into any part of the kiln.
Materials Requirements for drying about 600-800 bd ft cut in 8' lengths.
Two 2"x4"x12' - cheap straight pine
Two 2"x4"x10' - cheap straight pine
Four 2"x4"x8' - cheap straight pine
Four 2"x6"x10' - cheap VERY straight pine
Four 2"x4"x10' - cheap VERY straight pine
Five 2"x4"x8' - cheap VERY straight pine
12 Blocks >=4" high x >=8" deep x >=8 long" that together can hold up to 1000s of lbs.
Two 1"x2"x12' - use whatever scrap that pieces together to be 12' long
Fourteen 3/4"x10' - Schedule 40 PVC pipe
38 approx. 2" wood screws (what ever is on hand)
50 to 80 3" nails of most any type (I used 2.5" finishing nails)
2 to 4 oz. yellow wood glue
EITHER
Four 3/4" 90 degree Slip Elbows - Schedule 40 PVC pipe
Ten 3/4" Slip Tees - Schedule 40 PVC pipe
OR
One 2"x4"x12' - cheap straight pine (that requires twenty 1 1/8" holes drilled in it)
One 20'x24' 4 mil Clear Plastic Sheet (about $20 at Big Box Discount Store)
One variable speed 20" (or larger) fan
Two digital thermometers with hygrometers (AKA humidity readout) (I bought 2 last year for $6 each but you can spend big bucks if you want)
One Moisture Meter for wood (resistive meters can be inexpensive & give reasonable results for at home use)
100' 1/4" nylon rope (or 100' of something to lash across the plastic sheeting... that will not shred the sheeting )
Three Nylon straps with ratchets >=3500 lb working load >=4' longer than the girth of your stack (27' are $17 ea at Big Box Building Supply)
For a "solar" kiln add:
One more 20'x24' 4 mil Clear Plastic Sheet
For an "insulated" kiln add (and yes... it can be an insulated "solar" kiln):
Ten 4'x8' Semi-Rigid Foam Boards - thickness based upon R-Value needs (for High R-Values use fiberglass batting w/facing)
To heat an "insulated" kiln add:
One inexpensive 12 amp thermostatically controlled heater w/fan (with safety's intact)
Tools needed...
Screwdriver
Drill
One 1 1/8" bit for holes <3" deep
Saw to make five 2"x4" cross-cuts
Generic Hammer
Last edited: