moisture content of cedar

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I picked up a cedar log on the side of the road today with the intention of going from a rough log to a finished project for the first time.

well, I have the boards from the small log rough milled, but I have no history on the log so I don't know how long ago it was felled.

How does one go about determining the moisture content of the log without having a moisture meter?


Side bar: I have decided what to do with the log. My roommate wants me to help him build some type of a jewelry box for his girlfriend as an introduction to woodworking. Aside from the fact that this is likely a case of the blind leading the blind, we are cluless as to what kind of a jewelry box to make.

Any suggestions you guys have would be great! I took before pics and will post pics as the project progresses.

 

[DaveO]

The only way I know of determining MC of a piece of wood without a moisture meter would be to weigh it, and then weigh it on regular intervals until it stops losing weight. Once that has happened it has reached a equilibrium with the environment it is in.
The good thing that you have going for you is that ERC is a very dry wood to start with and shouldn't take too long to dry enough to use.

Check out some of the boxes in my gallery and see if any of those designs appeal to you, and I will be more than happy to give you details on it's construction. I did a smallish Cedar box, that could be a good start, with some divided drawers it could make a good jewelry box.
Dave

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

weighing it is a great idea, but the problem is that I'm not sure I have a scale sensitive enough to register that. and buying one would probably cost me as much as a moisture meter :lol:

I am completely psyched about this project as it is not only a huge step ahead for me in my woodworking ability, but it's also my first project with cedar, and my first time sharing my shop with anyone. Unfortunately, I don't have creative control over this. I dig all of your boxes dave, you're like a box ninja (if one were to exist). I will show him your pics, and see what he likes. I am sure there will be more questions forthcoming, so stay tuned.

 

[jeff...]

I picked up a cedar log on the side of the road today with the intention of going from a rough log to a finished project for the first time.

well, I have the boards from the small log rough milled, but I have no history on the log so I don't know how long ago it was felled.

How does one go about determining the moisture content of the log without having a moisture meter?


Side bar: I have decided what to do with the log. My roommate wants me to help him build some type of a jewelry box for his girlfriend as an introduction to woodworking. Aside from the fact that this is likely a case of the blind leading the blind, we are cluless as to what kind of a jewelry box to make.

Any suggestions you guys have would be great! I took before pics and will post pics as the project progresses.

Cedar even fresh cut off the stump is pretty dry compared to other woods, but still needs to dry further to 6~8% to be good for furniture. Do you have a dehumidifier and a trap?

 

[jeff...]

weighing it is a great idea, but the problem is that I'm not sure I have a scale sensitive enough to register that. and buying one would probably cost me as much as a moisture meter :lol:

I am completely psyched about this project as it is not only a huge step ahead for me in my woodworking ability, but it's also my first project with cedar, and my first time sharing my shop with anyone. Unfortunately, I don't have creative control over this. I dig all of your boxes dave, you're like a box ninja (if one were to exist). I will show him your pics, and see what he likes. I am sure there will be more questions forthcoming, so stay tuned.

:icon_thum

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Sorry Jeff, out of luck on that one too. My one saving grace is that this log looked to have been down for quite a while, and hasn't seemed wet during the milling. Not to mention it's only about 8 inches or so in diameter. But, since my roomate's relationship is at the mercy of my woodworking prowess, I am desperate to eliminate as many variables to failure as I can!!


It's good to know that cedar is a pretty dry wood. Where can I find out about the moisture content of other woods? Obviously other than posting here for all you Jedi woodworkers to answer, of course :icon_thum

 

[jeff...]

Sorry Jeff, out of luck on that one too. My one saving grace is that this log looked to have been down for quite a while, and hasn't seemed wet during the milling. Not to mention it's only about 8 inches or so in diameter. But, since my roomate's relationship is at the mercy of my woodworking prowess, I am desperate to eliminate as many variables to failure as I can!!


It's good to know that cedar is a pretty dry wood. Where can I find out about the moisture content of other woods? Obviously other than posting here for all you Jedi woodworkers to answer, of course :icon_thum

Ony sure fire way I know of is with a moisture meter. Someone may have put a chart together of fresh off the stump MC of various species of wood, but I have not seen one.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

would it be beneficial at all to bake a little cedar pie in my oven?? :rolf:

 

[DaveO]

I am desperate to eliminate as many variables to failure as I can!!

You are probably looking at least 6 months dry time for a 4/4 board. If you have that time to wait, great otherwise I would drop by either Woodcraft or Klingspor and pick up some ERC boards that you know are dry and save the ones that you've just milled for another project when they are dry. Your roommate wouldn't ever have to know :-D :-D
Trying to work with wood that isn't dry enough will be an invitation to a problem-matic project, especially one with the tight tolerances of a a jewelry box, BTDT :eusa_doh: :eusa_doh:

Dave

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

well, there is a possibility that this was cut down a very long time ago, which is why I was thinking I may not have to wait quite that long to work it. I have heard that it's about a year per inch of diameter, so who knows. I may just pick up a moisture meter, as I am psychologically attached to the idea of using this wood for the project. Besides, I may need the six months to practice making things that actually look nice!! :lol:

what do those there new fangled inventions cost anyways?

 

[DaveO]

I saw a decent looking moisutre meter at Woodcraft yesterday for around $40, it's a pretty good investment if you want to make your own lumber or buy non-kiln dried wood.
Dave