Air seasoning
Timber deteriorates if left on the ground and exposed to the elements. In air seasoning the timber is stacked, as in kiln drying, in such a way that the air can circulate.
The stack should not be more than 6 ft. wide. A well-drained site is chosen and brick piers are built not less than 9 in. in height and preferably more.
These piers are approximately 9 in. square and are spaced 2 ft. apart. Timber cross-members 4 in. X 4 in. are placed on the piers. Strength is given by laying further heavy bearers along the whole length of the stack.
The planks to be seasoned are placed horizontally on the foundation, each plank separated from the other by 1 in. X1 in. sticks. It is important that the wood should be kept level and sagging prevented. Therefore, the sticks are placed at intervals of 2 ft. to 4 ft., according to the thickness of the planks.
The stack is left open but covered by a sloping roof with a good overhang. The ends of the planks should be protected by bituminous paint. In reasonable weather, 2-in. planks of softwood stacked in the spring would be seasoned by the autumn of the same year.
Hardwoods should be stacked three months earlier.
Continued...From the wonderful wood working book "Wood Carving" by Freda Skinner. We are in the process of placing most of the book here on our site. If your tired of reading it in pieces, send us a message on the contact page asking for the book and we'll send you a link for the entire book - free.
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