I purchased some 1-by and 5/4-by oak today for some window trim
(Craftsman-style) that I plan to do starting next week. Is 7 days enough
time to acclimate it to minimize shrinkage? I live in the Phila area.

Would taking it out for a few cycles in the relative cold (not brutal, yet)
accelerate the process?

On Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:23:12 -0500, "Buck Turgidson"
wrote:

I purchased some 1-by and 5/4-by oak today for some window trim
(Craftsman-style) that I plan to do starting next week. Is 7 days enough
time to acclimate it to minimize shrinkage? I live in the Phila area.

Would taking it out for a few cycles in the relative cold (not brutal, yet)
accelerate the process?


A week is probably OK. It really depends on the differential in heat
and moisture. Stack the wood loosely so air can get around it.

On 12/17/2011 9:23 AM, Buck Turgidson wrote:
I purchased some 1-by and 5/4-by oak today for some window trim
(Craftsman-style) that I plan to do starting next week. Is 7 days enough
time to acclimate it to minimize shrinkage? I live in the Phila area.

Would taking it out for a few cycles in the relative cold (not brutal, yet)
accelerate the process?

Why guess? ... with wood prices the way they are, and considering the
time and skill you put into the job, buy yourself a moisture meter.

Even the cheaper pin type will take the guesswork out of the process
when used properly and as directed.

--
www.eWoodShop.com
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)
http://gplus.to/eWoodShop

On 12/17/2011 9:23 AM, Buck Turgidson wrote:
I purchased some 1-by and 5/4-by oak today for some window trim
(Craftsman-style) that I plan to do starting next week. Is 7 days enough
time to acclimate it to minimize shrinkage? I live in the Phila area.

Would taking it out for a few cycles in the relative cold (not brutal, yet)
accelerate the process?



For flooring I had always heard 2 weeks. If your conditions (humidity
and temperature) are highly similar to the supplier, you might be
alright. If yours has just been closed in with a lot of in and out
traffic, rain, mud, and lots of latex paint and the supplier is a
humidity controlled warehouse, the longer the better. A moisture meter
comparison would sure be worth doing.

--


___________________________________

Keep the whole world singing . . .
Dan G

On Dec 17, 10:42*am, Swingman wrote:

Why guess? ... with wood prices the way they are, and considering the
time and skill you put into the job, buy yourself a moisture meter.

Even the cheaper pin type will take the guesswork out of the process
when used properly and as directed.

Couldn't agree with that more. The worst thing to do is waste your
time on a project.

If it turns out poorly, you will have to redo it. That not only
doubles your cost, but it doubles your time, and to add insult to
injury, you will have to tear all the poorly installed material out
and dispose of it.

A moisture meter can look mighty inexpensive from some perspectives.

Robert

On 12/17/2011 9:23 AM, Buck Turgidson wrote:
I purchased some 1-by and 5/4-by oak today for some window trim
(Craftsman-style) that I plan to do starting next week. Is 7 days enough
time to acclimate it to minimize shrinkage? I live in the Phila area.

Would taking it out for a few cycles in the relative cold (not brutal, yet)
accelerate the process?

Can't/won't disagree w/ the other recommendations for sure, use a
moisture meter. OTOH, where did the material come from and where has it
been stored? If it were kiln-dry properly and stored inside it's highly
likely for the purpose it will be just fine--after all in Craftsman
style you'll not be having wide cross grain miters, etc., where the
movement is going to be of much significance.

If it's been outside given it's 5/4 instead of 4 or 3, I'd prefer a
little longer than just one week, but still all in all, probably ok if
it's been shedded/dry since coming out of the kiln.

As for the second question, "no". If anything that'll simply down the
process of acclimation by changing the boundary conditions to which the
material is exposed and thereby the direction in which changes will
being trying to head.

--

Interesting.....looks like a meter will even fit in a Christmas stocking....

I think I will take your advice.

Buck Turgidson wrote:
I purchased some 1-by and 5/4-by oak today for some window trim
(Craftsman-style) that I plan to do starting next week. Is 7 days
enough time to acclimate it to minimize shrinkage? I live in the
Phila area.
Would taking it out for a few cycles in the relative cold (not
brutal, yet) accelerate the process?

Many will come up with all sorts of exotic recommendations, but let's take
this to the basics. Where did you buy the material? Home Depot, or Lowes?
Stores like that keep the lumber inside for the most part and it is already
at a humidity/moisture level that is not so far from what you have at home.
In that case - just put it into use. A lumber yard, where all materials are
stored outside? Well then a week in the house to stabilize and aclimate
would be in order. Other than that - nothing more fanciful is required.

--

-Mike-

On Dec 17, 4:39*pm, "Buck Turgidson" wrote:
Interesting.....looks like a meter will even fit in a Christmas stocking.....

I think I will take your advice.

If you do get a meter don't worry much about a specific target just
watch over a few days to see if it is changing.

On 12/19/2011 1:00 PM, SonomaProducts.com wrote:
On Dec 17, 4:39 pm, "Buck wrote:
Interesting.....looks like a meter will even fit in a Christmas stocking.....

I think I will take your advice.

If you do get a meter don't worry much about a specific target just
watch over a few days to see if it is changing.

Unless, of course, it's wringing wet...

--

On Dec 19, 11:11*am, dpb wrote:
On 12/19/2011 1:00 PM, SonomaProducts.com wrote:

On Dec 17, 4:39 pm, "Buck *wrote:
Interesting.....looks like a meter will even fit in a Christmas stocking.....

I think I will take your advice.

If you do get a meter don't worry much about a specific target just
watch over a few days to see if it is changing.

Unless, of course, it's wringing wet...

--

I assume somwhere south of 10%