Anyone using a Vacuthern Vacuum Kiln?

[Kevin_Connor]

Looking for input on 500 to 1000 bf vacuum kilns.  Anyone using Vacuthern equipment?  Thanks for your input.

[dboyt]

Kevin:  I reviewed one for Sawmill & Woodlot Management Magazine for the Aug/Sept issue.  Very impressive unit.  As I recall, the owners were drying 4/4 white oak from green to 8% in a couple of days.  It uses hot water instead of electric blankets, and they used a wood fired furnace to heat the water.  This is as close as one can get to "just in time" kiln drying.  They saw lumber, dry the boards, plane and/or mould them, and ship them all in one week!  I believe the system was around $50k, but it sure made a believer out of me!

Here's the URL for the issue:
https://sawmillmag.com/Go.IssueInfo?issue=62

Hope you'll post an opinion if you get one-- I'll do the same!

Dave

[Den Socling]

There is something wrong here. VacuTherm can't dry red oak from green let alone white oak. VacuTherm recommends that you air dry or use a pre-dryer to get red oak down to 40% before you put it into one of their kilns. White oak isn't even considered even if it is pre-dried.