Unheated Barn vs Kiln Dried Timber

[Helvetica]

My mahogany is kiln dried, dawn to rough length and waiting in the destination room for several months. I am now ready to thickness, joint etc. I have a concern about my workshop though. It is unheated and well vented, but can get a little damp through the old stone walls.

I'm wondering can I leave the boards in the barn for a week while I find time to work it, or do I need to take it back inside that day if I'm not finished working on it? Have a 3 month old baby and this is a hobby so time is tight. I would lose it if the boards warped in the barn!

Any advise appreciated. Here is a photo of the barn so you get an idea what I'm dealing with.

 

[PAC1]

I think I would return it to the room. It is not worth the risk. A day could turn into two weeks. We only need weather like we currently have and you would be in a mess.

 

[screwpainting]

Could you wrap/seal it in some breather membrane after each session and leave it in the barn?. That might reduce any condensing, keep the humidity constant and save any potential damage due to moving etc. Just a thought.

 

[Keith 66]

I bet that barn is bloody freezing. I would be looking to insulate, parrtition, fit a stove asap!

 

[acewoodturner]

My mate suffers from the same problem. His workshop leaks like a sieve and is damp. He has built an insulated box inside the workshop and runs a dehumidifier inside it which also has a heater to keep the damp away from the timber. It has worked quite successfully for a few years and at the end of the working day all timber is returned to it.

Mike

 

[Helvetica]

Thanks guys, I think I'll bring it back each day. Insulation & a stove is on the list now! Happy new year

 

[meccarroll]

If you have a moisture meter you could try leaving an off-cut in the barn for two days to see what moisture rise occurs. Take measurements of the dimensions at the same time to see how this changes too. This will give you an indication of what will be occurring to your hardwood if left in your barn over two days. You can then decide how best to proceed.

Some workshops, years ago, used to make and fit the item dry then store it in a conditioned room to re-acclimatise before final fitting and gluing. This process would be done on top end work.

Mark

 

[dickm]

As an alternative (and probably more accuate!) approach, you could weigh the test piece before it goes out to the barn and at intervals thereafter. That, together with accurate measurement, should tell you the worst!