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Bob Klein writes:

Howdy y'all

There has been some discussion and mention of the moisture
content of woods used in projects.  I think there is too much
emphasis put on the 8% solution being that different parts of
the country have different atmospheric conditions and we all
know that wood will seek equalization with the moisture
content of its surroundings, more slowly when coated with
some type of finishing material and more quickly when
uncoated or raw. 

For example, say I get some 8% kiln dried lumber for a table
leaf project.  In my area there is no 8% air, so I think I would
be creating a potential problem unless I allowed the lumber to
equalize to approximately 13% as shown on the attached
chart.  Just something for us to think about, after all, if I am
dealing with furniture that has been flooded I am certainly not
going to do any repair or finishing while it is at 20-25% but will
allow it to drain into the air and come down to 12-14%.

The attached chart is from Hoadley's book, Understanding
Wood.  I had originally thought this chart to be in my Wood
Handbook # 72 from the Department of Agriculture.  As I was
diligently searching for it in the wrong book, our friend Craig
Cianciolo politely pulled the Hoadley book off my bookshelf
and showed me what I was looking for... uh, thanks...

bob klein
pensacola, fl










Also view John Coffey's shrinkage charts.
Scan 1
Scan 2
Scan 3
Scan 4


Also download John Coffey's shrinkage spreadsheet calculator:
Excel document


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