Mixed load in solar kiln

[davemartin88]

Any real concern with putting a mixed load of lumber (oak/hickory/cherry) in to a solar kiln? All the wood is between 15 and 20% moisture now and wouldn't think there would be a concern other than the different drying times. Don't have enough of each to do a full load but have more than enough if we combine- this load will probably be left in most of the winter unless we have a real heat wave here in N. Va. Thanks.

[pineywoods]

I mix pine cedar and oak all the time. Kiln has a bunch of resinous pine and half-dry oak in it now. But now there are 2 factors. My solar kiln is a bit different from any I have ever seen, and 2- I'm too dumb to know you can't do that, so I go ahead. I usually air dry before it goes in the kiln, and I tend to leave it in there until I need the room for another load.

[metalspinner]

I usually air dry before it goes in the kiln, and I tend to leave it in there until I need the room for another load.

...or have room to move it into the shop.   My mixed load of hardwoods in the solar dryer is going to have to stay put until next spring at the earliest.  It was put in this time last year.  I just don't have room in the shop for it.

With it air dryed down below 20% I have not had any issues.  But I have the luxury of time because this is personal use.  No rushing needed.  Having a second dryer might be handy, though. Pretty much for extra drying/storage of greater variety of species.

[davemartin88]

Thanks- I have a solar kiln for my own use and I use it like you guys- tend to leave the load in until I need it and then start another one from the air dried stacks but this is usually all oak. Didn't think there would be an issue but never hurts to check, thanks again.

[c austin]

i have a old cube van 14' box that i turned into a solar kiln - which i drive to my friends mill and stack the wood in it, store the wood and sell the wood out of it. it has walnut and cherry in it now which is dried to 8%. it took 2 months to dry so i did not dry it too fast for either type of wood. I don't think it is a problem to dry different types of wood at one time if it's done in a slow, controlled manner.

[Lud]

How does one turn a drivable van into a solar wood kiln???

[solidwoods]

No prob at all.
jim

[WDH]

I usually air dry before it goes in the kiln, and I tend to leave it in there until I need the room for another load.

Leaving the wood in the solar kiln after the wood is dry does not result in over-drying?  Do you keep the fans running?

[solidwoods]

How does one turn a drivable van into a solar wood kiln???

With electricity.
Solar just refers to the heat source.

A solar kiln should have a way to control temp and humidity (something allot of people overlook) so electricity would usually be required.  It is possible to manually control heat and humidity though.
jim

[pineywoods]

I usually air dry before it goes in the kiln, and I tend to leave it in there until I need the room for another load.

Leaving the wood in the solar kiln after the wood is dry does not result in over-drying?  Do you keep the fans running?

Too dry didn't know you could do that in Louisiana    Truth be known, I've never seen a problem with that, probably just dumb luck. I usually turn off the fans and de-humidifier after about a week, or when the dh quits making water. There is some  flow in my kiln from convection, plus the enclosure is anything but air tight. The driest batch I've seen was some 1X4 oak destined for tongue and groove flooring. That measured just a tad under 6% with a pin meter.

[WDH]

Piney,

If I wouldn't aggravate you too much, I would like to stop by sometimes and get a lesson on solar kilning  .   I guess that I need to build one if I keep messin' with wood.

[submarinesailor]

I guess that I need to build one if I keep messin' with wood.

Me too.

Bruce

[metalspinner]

It's the best investment I've mad efor my woodworking hobby.

[pineywoods]

Piney,

If I wouldn't aggravate you too much, I would like to stop by sometimes and get a lesson on solar kilning  .   I guess that I need to build one if I keep messin' with wood.

The only thing that would aggravate me would be knowing you came by here and didn't stop to visit.  I'm retired, my mill is pretty much a hobby operation, so I can and will stop and visit anytime. The real expert on runnin these things is another sawyer bout a mile up the road. His is a commercial operation, kiln is identical to mine, and he uses it to dry cypress. ON top of that, I will treat you to some of the best BBQ brisket in the south 

[tyb525]

I am pretty close to building a solar kiln. I have it modeled in sketch up if anyone wants it

[woodsteach]

I am pretty close to building a solar kiln. I have it modeled in sketch up if anyone wants it

Welllll what kind of question is that???

Pass it on    can you attach it to your post?

woodsteach

[WDH]

OK TY,

now you are obliged to attach it.

Piney,

I will be in that area a little after the first of the year as I have business near Bastrop.  Woodbowl said he would like to be aggravating as well, so we might try to coordinate.  Thank you very much, sir.

[pineywoods]

OK TY,



Piney,

I will be in that area a little after the first of the year as I have business near Bastrop.  Woodbowl said he would like to be aggravating as well, so we might try to coordinate.  Thank you very much, sir.

By all means bring him on. As the crow flies, I'm about 15 miles west of Bastrop, little further around the road. Give me a yell when things firm up and I'll pm directions...

[WDH]

That's a deal.

[climbncut]

I am pretty close to building a solar kiln. I have it modeled in sketch up if anyone wants it

I know it's been awhile since tyb525 mentioned it, but wheres the model sketch of the kiln?