milling boards for scrolling

[daddy_tindell]

So i recently got a new bandsaw. broke down and got a 17" saw with riser and all that jazz (go big or go home right? haha) anyway..was wanting to mill some 1/4 inch stuff for scrolling. was curious if anybody here does this and how long do you let it sit to dry before planing and using it? I figure seal the ends and let it sit for a few months and should be good to go since it is so thin. thanks everbody

[LarryEA]

OK Daddy_Tindell, you will get a better answer than this.

This is a question begging for questions.

* What kind of wood?

* How long has this wood been sitting around or did you just cut it.

* What are you scrolling?

Wood not properly dried will not take a finish very well.

And I believe as wood dries, it shrinks in size.

In my humble opinion, you can plane it whenever you want.

A few monthe drying for new wood and ever once in a while test cut a piece.

Do you hace a lumber mill near by? They could test moisture content

and tell you when it is cured

[Dan]

I assume you are cutting from a log. I usually cut boaeds 2" thick, seal the ends and let them sit a year or two. I have an el cheapo moisture meter and check every now and then. Some woods will dry much faster than others. And, depending on the species and how it was cut, the board will twist, cup, and bend a bit. My 2" board yields a 1" to 1.75" board after planing.

 

I sometimes will buy 8/4 lumber and resaw to get more for my money. Of course, if you figure the time it takes to reaaw and surface the board you may not save much $$ but it is satisfying to do.

[amazingkevin]

A lot of my wood got soaked in 5 gallon buckets for days maybe longer .Wish i knew your answer ,them maybe it will answer mine Mine are varios hard woods,planned  1" 2" x 6"to 2'

[daddy_tindell]

Really would be random hardwoods..whatever i can get ahold of..i turn a lot too. so would be whatever i have. and as far as scrolling...i do a bit of everything..fretwork..toys..just whatever i feel like at the time..maybe milling my own wont be worth the trouble...lol

[Rob Roy]

Hi Daddy_tindel the usual rule of thumb for drying fresh sawn timber is one year for every inch in thikness, but keep checking the moisture content. No doubt you'll get checks and warping and no two timbers are the same.

H T H.

Rob Roy.

Edited August 4, 2014 by Rob Roy