I cut a big cedar tree and took it to a saw mill and cut it into lumber. Now I have about 115 bd ft stacked to dry and thinking of projects to make. One thing I want to make is a cedar chest but I can not find plans that I like. Does anyone know where I can find some?

I have the lumber stacked & stickered in the basement with a fan blowing. The air is very dry down there. How long do you think it will take to dry?

 

             Bob

As far as drying time, I don't know about cedar or any conifers. However, air drying hardwoods in my area of AZ takes a year per inch of thickness. 

I would cut a square foot of your cedar and weigh it. put it back where the rest is stickered. Keep weighing it every 3 mo. or so. When it quits losing weight, it's lost all the moisture it will lose.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

it will still take nearly a year. the main cause for this is the water inside the structure of the wood needs to dry out not just the free water between he cells of the wood.

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Round Barn WoodCrafts, Plymouth WI
roundbarnwoodcrafts@hotmail.com

Robert, what style chest are you looking for? Craftsman, country, colonial?????

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

As the others said it usually as a good guide will take about an year an inch to dry. If you have a moisture meter you can check it every so often. If it is the pin type don't just check along the edges as that will be the first place to dry. You really want to know what it is in the middle of the board.

I just finished a cedar chest this past weekend. Well all but putting the finish on it and it has been raining here everyday so I have sprayed it yet. Check it out here.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

I am not real sure what style either craftsman or country. I have 2 grand daughters that want one so they can pick the style.

John Morris said:

Robert, what style chest are you looking for? Craftsman, country, colonial?????

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

That is a beautiful box John. Where did you get the plans or did you make your own? What kind of finish do you use?

John Moody said:

As the others said it usually as a good guide will take about an year an inch to dry. If you have a moisture meter you can check it every so often. If it is the pin type don't just check along the edges as that will be the first place to dry. You really want to know what it is in the middle of the board.

I just finished a cedar chest this past weekend. Well all but putting the finish on it and it has been raining here everyday so I have sprayed it yet. Check it out here.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Robert the original plan was in Wood magazine. I have modified the plan and size somewhat.  Of course size is an easy adjustment to fit a particular need. I do the lid and the way the bottom is installed differently than what they had.

I usually spay mine with several coats of shellac and then put a couple of coats of General Finishes Enduro Var.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Thanks to all for your help. Now I just have to wait.

 

               Thanks Bob

Hey Bob,

Do you have anyone close that has a kiln, if so they can dry your cedar in about 30 days. Back when I made cedar chests for a second income, I would go to the sawmill and buy 2000 board eet od cedar at a time and then i would take it to a kiln and have it dried. Now take it this was 20 years ago, and the cost of the lumber and the drying was 500.00 total. Now it is hard to fin cedar in my area.

Robert, I am thinking a shaker style chest. I know you weren't asking for advice on the type of chest to build, but since it is cedar, shaker comes to mind. Cedar was used in shaker furnishings back in the day because it was readily available along with an abundance of available pine.

Question, is the cedar going to be used as a secondary wood for this chest or the primary? Just the lining is cedar or the entire chest.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

I don't know of a kiln any where close to me.

Thanks Bob

keith long said:

Hey Bob,

Do you have anyone close that has a kiln, if so they can dry your cedar in about 30 days. Back when I made cedar chests for a second income, I would go to the sawmill and buy 2000 board eet od cedar at a time and then i would take it to a kiln and have it dried. Now take it this was 20 years ago, and the cost of the lumber and the drying was 500.00 total. Now it is hard to fin cedar in my area.

I am planning on making the chest similar to what John Moody has posted on this site. I also have some white oak I could use and line it with cedar. I am looking for plans of different styles.

I have one cedar board about 2.5" thick that I may try making some chalenge coin displays out of.

        Thanks Bob

John Morris said:

Robert, I am thinking a shaker style chest. I know you weren't asking for advice on the type of chest to build, but since it is cedar, shaker comes to mind. Cedar was used in shaker furnishings back in the day because it was readily available along with an abundance of available pine.

Question, is the cedar going to be used as a secondary wood for this chest or the primary? Just the lining is cedar or the entire chest.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Bob, Here is an ebay listing for plans ($25.00) to build your own back yard kiln for around $100 or so. It uses a dehumidifier rather than heat. So it's not an energy hog.

I can't personally recommend it as I have not built it. However, I've known Daren, the seller, for many years and I do know of several of his kilns that have been built. All say that it performs very well.

Plus, Daren is honest as the day is long and a joy to deal with.

If you choose to, you might tell him that Gene from the Woodworking Talk forum sent you. He was offering it to forum members for $20. 

Robert Downs said:

I don't know of a kiln any where close to me.

Thanks Bob

keith long said:

Hey Gene, can you get Daren over here and discuss the kiln with us?

Gene Howe said:

Bob, Here is an ebay listing for plans ($25.00) to build your own back yard kiln for around $100 or so. It uses a dehumidifier rather than heat. So it's not an energy hog.

I can't personally recommend it as I have not built it. However, I've known Daren, the seller, for many years and I do know of several of his kilns that have been built. All say that it performs very well.

Plus, Daren is honest as the day is long and a joy to deal with.

If you choose to, you might tell him that Gene from the Woodworking Talk forum sent you. He was offering it to forum members for $20. 

Robert Downs said:

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

He used to be a moderator over there. I haven't seen him post in a while, though.

I'll see if he responds to a PM invite. 

EDIT I just sent it. Hope he responds to us both.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

John,

Daren just replied. Said he'd get over here soon.

He's a swell guy and will fit in here just great. 

He runs a sawmill in central IL. Dunno if he's into mail order wood, though. But, he has had some killer slabs of Walnut and others. 

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Great Gene! I'd love to see his mill in action and his kiln plans. And I'd love to see an active sawyer participate on our site. This is something I have been chomping at the bit to do is mill my own lumber, but resources have been shy these days, but my dream is to mill my own lumber and use it in our furniture and chairs. Can't wait for Darren to get here! Great news.

Gene Howe said:

John,

Daren just replied. Said he'd get over here soon.

He's a swell guy and will fit in here just great. 

He runs a sawmill in central IL. Dunno if he's into mail order wood, though. But, he has had some killer slabs of Walnut and others. 

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

I've only been to five or six small mills in various parts of the US. None sawed for their own use. Most only turned out rough sawn stuff for sale w/ one edge straight. Two would do S4S. The least expensive set up was a young guy in Tucson that deals primarily in mesquite. He had a decent bandsaw mill. I can't remember what he told me, but he goes through a lot of blades per month. He claims to be Suffolk Machinery's best customer.

The others had beaucoup $$$ invested in machinery. Not to mention, in the raw materials. Most contracted for their logs. One has their own crew to cut the timber and haul it in to the mill. He sells hardwood molding. So he has the added expense of that specialized machinery.

It looks like a lot of work. More than I would want. But, you're young, though.

I can sympathize with your hesitation, nevertheless. 

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

cedar dries fast,  really  it has to do with how well the moisture can leave the area, how thick it is, and  what moisture you started with.  but I would not think more than a few months.