I have been gifted an 8 inch thick silver maple log.
I know it's not as choice a wood as HARD maple, but what the heck, at MY level of banjo cobbling, who really REALLY cares?
How might one cobble together some sort of DIY kiln to dry it?
The tree had been dead for quite some while, if that makes any difference.
Mike It might be dry already. How long since it was cut down and how thick is it.
After it's sawed up into 2x4's, stack neck lengths with stickers for air space between layers in a box with a couple of light bulbs for heat. Should dry pretty quick in there. Get the cheapest moisture meter for wood from Amazon. I dried a lot of wood for making block rims like that.
Cut down Jan 20, 2021
Will bring it home and measure it, tomorrow.
Thanks for the advice.
You don't need a kiln. Putting your logs in the fireplece will certainly dry them out.
Be aware, however, that when treated in this manner, you'll change the wood species. It will no longer be Silver Maple, but will turn into Ash.
I always split logs and paint the ends to reduce checking. Winter cut logs always work the best because the sap is down while the tree “hibernates”.
