Q: About eight months ago, my family and I were clearing up some brush at our cottage. We took down an old birch tree, and I have saved a foot long log (approximately 15 inches wide) to turn into a side table.
I am finding a lot of conflicting information regarding the length of time I should allow the log to dry before getting to work sanding and staining it. Am I okay with the eight months I've waited already, or should I let it dry out a bit longer? I'm hoping that there is someone out there who can provide me with a bit more information!
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Well... I have no idea, but if you were to use this as firewood, you are supposed to wait 1-2 years for it not to be green anymore, so I would wait at least a year.
Until it's dry? I don't think you can get a definitive answer to this online -- everything depends on the state of the wood when you cut it and the conditions where it has been stored. Maybe you can find a wood carver in your area to advise.
As a hobbyist woodworker who harvests lumber from around the neighborhood I've had to learn how long it takes to air-dry wood. The rule of thumb is 1 year for every inch of thickness. This will give you wood that has a moisture content of 7-10% - equivalent to the kiln dried lumber in the home centers.
That said, if you just want to clean up a log and varnish it, I'd recommend putting a couple coats of shellac on it and call it good. This will slow the moisture release from the end grain and reduce cracking. Note that you will not be able to eliminate cracking.
Shellac cleans up with alcohol - denatured is fine. You can also remove and smooth a dried shellac finish with alcohol.
Another option may be getting it kiln dried. Check with local lumber businesses.
@ DEAN IN DES MOINES- thanks for the helpful info.
The log was cut down in January in Ontario, Canada (cold, snowy weather). It's been in my parent's finished basement (which is heated in winter, AC in summer) since then. It made its way to my apartment last week. It seems dry to me, but I don't have much experience with wood working.
If I drill holes in the bottom of the log for the legs, will I have any problem with the wood expanding as it continues to dry? I have heard this may be an issue...
The 1" thickness per year is the rule however if you are fine with large cracks "checks" then don't worry about it too much... drying wood properly is a long and sometimes frustrating process.
I second Kristen S. Have it kiln dried. You will be happy with the result and it is fairly inexpensive.
It's a piece of wood. It cost you nothing. Just do what you want to it when every you want. The worst that can happen is you are out a fews bucks for stain and a few hours of your time.
I second what Chieromancer said.
We did the same thing with a big honking piece of a cedar log cedar log we pulled out of the woods last winter. We let it sit in a heated shop for a couple of months, then sandblasted and put a bunch of coats of poly on it. Looks great!
thanks all, I'll get to work ASAP and let you know how it turns out!
I've got this same issue and noticed some cracking on the end that I was going to use as the table top. Do I fill in the cracks- they are getting rather large, or do i just ignore?
We've had good success with sanding and waxing; I think the wax still lets it breathe.