How long to dry SYP?

[brdmkr]

How long would you let SYP 2x4s air dry before you would use it for framing?  Is there a general rule of thumb if you don't have a moisture meter?  I did a search, but never really found anything that answered this question.  Of course, I still found a bunch of cool stuff 8) 8)

[jkj]

I think it would be hard to answer because of the variables, including the temperature and humidity.  Without a meter, you can still calculate precise moisture content with the weighing/oven drying method.

JKJ

[brdmkr]

Even with the oven dry and weigh approach it would be nice to have an idea of how long you need to leave it out before you are getting close.  I suppose I could sacrifice a board to see where I am now and then I could get some idea how long I'd need to wait before doing it again.

[beenthere]

Look up the procedure in the kiln drying manual, and fix yourself up with a sample board that you take a moisture (oven dry and weigh) sample from in the beginning, then just continue to weigh the sample board to estimate it's moisture content over time. A final moisture sample from that board near the end should put you pretty close to 'smack' on knowing the moisture content.

[Tom]

I use a  ballpark time of 6-8 weeks.   That is usually enough time in florida to get it to 19%.

Even if they aren't dry, they are dry enough to have developed enough stiffness to hold weight.

[DanG]

I was gonna say a month and a half to two months, but Tom was pretty close to that, and a couple of days quicker. :D