Drying slabs for rustic furnature

[Old Forester]

Would like to make some rustic furniture using 2" to 4 " slabs, any ideas how to dry the slabs?  Air drying would take years, and kiln drying isn't really practicle for us and would be expensive.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[shelbycharger400]

what material are you using?
how is it cut in relation to the grain/growth rings.. plain sawn, qtr sawn,  and parallel or perpendicular to a V  (crotch wood)

rule i believe is a year per inch.  my boxelder at 3 inch, 25 inch wide,  was not dry after 2 years !

notes:   Pin all cracks prior to drying!  (drill a proportionate hole to stop or stress relief the crack!!!)
mix bleach /borax and pretreat all surfaces before stickering !!!!

[MHineman]

  I think the 1 year per inch rule was for trim or other finished uses.  I'd think a higher moisture content would be OK for rustic furniture.  The drying is more about getting the wood to a stable point.
  Any way to move more air will help, but I'd avoid more heat than you'd be comfortable being in too.

[WDH]

2" stock will dry much faster than 4" stock, and there will be a lot less splits and cracks. 

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

For rustic furniture I just use it green off saw in both hardwood and softwood  if your wanting to fix a top to a table or such i use Bugle Screws but I use them for just about everything ;) :D heres some of the stuff we do here heartlandlogstructures.com.au Ill add I just use dry stuff for internal use but it all comes down to what its end use and what sort of construction I use Mate  ;)

Regards Chris