If you intend to mill your own timber, you might be asking whether you ought to wait for the logs to completely dry out before milling them. Yes, you should allow your logs to dry before grinding them, is the quick response. But before you start milling, there are a few crucial things to think about.
In the first place, drying your logs before milling them will lower the moisture content of the wood, making it less likely to bend, crack, or split after milling. This is due to the fact that recently cut logs may have up to 50% moisture, which might pose issues with drying. Prior to milling, you can reduce the moisture level of your logs to roughly 20%, which will make the wood more stable and convenient to work with.
Second, drying complete logs in a kiln is possible but not advised. Whole logs dried in a kiln run at too high a temperature might result in checking (cracks that run from the surface to the middle of the wood) and other flaws. It is preferable to saw your logs into lumber rather than dry them in a kiln. As a result, there will be less chance of flaws and the wood will cure more uniformly.
Thirdly, the price of rough cut oak might differ depending on a number of variables, such as the quality of the wood, the area where it was gathered, and the state of the market. Rough cut oak is typically valued between $2 and $5 per board foot as of 2021, though. Remember that if you have your lumber properly dried and planed, its value can rise.
Building with freshly cut lumber is technically feasible but is not advised. Working with freshly cut lumber can be challenging because it is more likely to twist, warp, or split as it dries. It is recommended to wait a few months before using lumber if you intend to build with it. The wood will become more sturdy and practical to work with as a result.
Lumber costs can vary based on a number of variables, including as supply and demand, the price of raw materials, and the status of the economy as a whole. However, since hitting a record high earlier in the year, lumber prices have started to decline as of mid-2021. Prices will likely continue to stabilize over the upcoming months, despite the fact that they are still higher than they were before the outbreak.
In conclusion, even though it would be tempting to mill your logs right away, it’s crucial to wait for them to dry for a few months before you start the milling process. By doing this, the chance of faults will be decreased and the wood will become more stable and simple to work with. Furthermore, while it is feasible to kiln dry whole logs, it is preferable to first saw them into lumber. Finally, it’s preferable to wait a few months before using lumber if you intend to build with it. This will increase the stability of the wood and lessen the possibility of warping, twisting, or splitting.
How long oak logs can be left before being milled is the response to that question.