wouldwurker Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Quick question. I just got my shipment of 20 board feet of Flame Birch (so pretty by the way), from Bell Forest. Is there any advantage to keeping the boards in the sparingly wrapped, tight bundle, as it was shipped, while it acclimates? To limit the movement maybe? If not, I'd store them in the usual manner while they adjust. Thanks --VJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 It's a good question! I've never had lumber shipped to me so, I'm looking forward to the answers.. My initial gut feeling is to break it loose from the bundle and let it acclimate naturally. Would be a bummer to have it move mid project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 I'd suggest opening the package and sticker and stack it. Let it acclimate to your shop. I'm interested to know how it was package for shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 I would unwrap it, sticker it and give it a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted December 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Thanks. Sticker it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Use some 3/4 to 1" square pieces between each board so the air can flow around it. Make sure the stack is on a flat surface and sticker under the first board. I wouldn't hurt to put a little weight on top of the stack, but nothing serious. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted December 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 I'm interested to know how it was package for shipping. I tore open the box Pretty figure. Very holographic...heck when you can see it, unfinished, in bad light, on a 2-D iPhone photo....you know it's gonna look SWEET finished... in person 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Thanks for the photos. It is indeed pretty stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted December 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Not yet...just couldn't pass up free shipping and 25% off. This was my Black Friday order. Bell Forest has some wood varieties in what they call 'project packs'. This one was 20 board feet. I don't know much about 'Flame Birch'. Just looked pretty and was the right price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 I love working flame birch. I buy mine from Bob Kloes at http://www.bobkloes.com/lumber.htm Bob ships using FedEx. My wood comes packaged exactly like that. Bob even uses plastic band straps to hold everything tight. I have had no issue stacking my boards against the wall, really not necessary to sticker. Bob's wood is kiln dried. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrylR Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Sounds like Bell Forest does a good job. Before reading about the positive experiences with this place I couldn't imagine ordering lumber like this but it seems it would be fine. -Darryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted December 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Keep an eye peeled for their free shipping specials. Now if only there was a local Baltic birch ply delivery service... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Can't haul a 5 x 5 sheet? I've got some scrap, what size do you need ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted December 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Ha, thanks...no I can haul it (well, a 3' 10" by 5" sheet, anyway) I just want a service that brings a sheet of it to my house once a week....with a pizza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 I just want a service that brings a sheet of it to my house once a week....with a pizza I'll sign up for that service... and I'll even tip if they include a beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPCV_Woodworker Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 I'll sign up for that service... and I'll even tip if they include a beer. New business venture: Enhanced Project Packs Includes Project plans Project pack of wood Hardware per project plans Choice of Meat Product, 1 meal per 20 hours estimated work time Choice of Alcohol, amount dependent on project Did I miss anything? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapid Roger Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 New business venture: Enhanced Project Packs Includes Project plans Project pack of wood Hardware per project plans Choice of Meat Product, 1 meal per 20 hours estimated work time Choice of Alcohol, amount dependent on project Did I miss anything? All parts pre-milled and cut to size. Light sanding and finishing required. Instant on-line help and advice available 24-7. Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefischbowl Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 All parts pre-milled and cut to size. Light sanding and finishing required. Instant on-line help and advice available 24-7. Rog Isn't that called Ikea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Isn't that called Ikea? No, they do the sanding at the factory. Gotta leave something for the hard working wood enthusiast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Isn't that called Ikea? No, they do the sanding at the factory. Gotta leave something for the hard working wood enthusiast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Isn't that called Ikea? No, they do the sanding at the factory. Gotta leave something for the hard working wood enthusiast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I have ordered wood from BF on several occasions. Like everyone said sticker, stack it, and wait 2-3 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Forest Products Posted July 28, 2016 Report Share Posted July 28, 2016 Hey Everyone! We're coming into this thread quite late, our apologies!. Most of our lumber is kiln dried with the exception of some of the exotic species being air dried. Unless the package(s) stopped in very humid locations for multiple days on end, you should have no problems working with the lumber right away. To ere on the side of caution, you can do exactly what everyone else recommended; sticker the lumber for a few days. In the event that you purchased some turning blanks that had wax on them, more than likely they're on the wet side and will require some dry time. Here's a method we suggest using: How to dry wood: If the wood still has wax on it, scrape off the wax on the faces and leave approximately 1” of wax on both ends. The easiest way to guarantee that the wood is safe to work with is to take an accurate weight measurement before you start the drying process. If you have a scale that’s accurate to ounces, it’ll help you out even more. Take a weight measurement and write it down. Now, put the blanks in a dry location. Don’t put them near any direct heat sources as it’ll increase the chances for checking/cracking/splitting and could end up turning those pieces into expensive paper weights. Give the blanks a few weeks to sit then weigh the pieces again. Write down the weights and compare them to the original weight. You should notice a difference but, if you don’t, the pieces may be ready to work with. You want to wait for the weight of the wood to level out as that’s an indication that the wood has shed its moisture. If you noticed a big drop in weight, you may want to give the wood more time to dry. Depending on the size of the piece, it may take a few weeks or several months before it’s ready to work with. Thanks, BFP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 28, 2016 Report Share Posted July 28, 2016 1 hour ago, Bell Forest Products said: Hey Everyone! We're coming into this thread quite late, our apologies!. Most of our lumber is kiln dried with the exception of some of the exotic species being air dried. Unless the package(s) stopped in very humid locations for multiple days on end, you should have no problems working with the lumber right away. To ere on the side of caution, you can do exactly what everyone else recommended; sticker the lumber for a few days. In the event that you purchased some turning blanks that had wax on them, more than likely they're on the wet side and will require some dry time. Here's a method we suggest using: How to dry wood: If the wood still has wax on it, scrape off the wax on the faces and leave approximately 1” of wax on both ends. The easiest way to guarantee that the wood is safe to work with is to take an accurate weight measurement before you start the drying process. If you have a scale that’s accurate to ounces, it’ll help you out even more. Take a weight measurement and write it down. Now, put the blanks in a dry location. Don’t put them near any direct heat sources as it’ll increase the chances for checking/cracking/splitting and could end up turning those pieces into expensive paper weights. Give the blanks a few weeks to sit then weigh the pieces again. Write down the weights and compare them to the original weight. You should notice a difference but, if you don’t, the pieces may be ready to work with. You want to wait for the weight of the wood to level out as that’s an indication that the wood has shed its moisture. If you noticed a big drop in weight, you may want to give the wood more time to dry. Depending on the size of the piece, it may take a few weeks or several months before it’s ready to work with. Thanks, BFP Respectively, I don't agree. i think you are in northern michigan. I have a condo in SW michigan (near the lake) and a house in Chicago. My conditioned air in Michigan is about 45%-60% year round, so KD stock does not move at all there. I think the lake, and prevailing winds, help regulate RH quite a bit. My conditioned air in Chicago (about 10 miles inland from Lake Michigan) ranges between 20% and 60%. So KD lumber moves a ton here in Chicago. I buy most of my lumber in Michigan and my projects live in both houses. If I buy Michigan KD lumber in the winter, I definitely need to let it acclimate before building in Chicago. There is a big difference between 5% and 9% EMC, and KD lumber can easily reach 9% EMC. I keep hearing people that KD stock can be worked right away (or after a few days) and I just have not observed that to be true. Lumber needs to be acclimated to the conditions in which it will live. A moisture meter and hygrometer are the easiest ways to check if your lumber is at equilibrium. If you don't have those, stack, sticker and acclimate. In my experience, a month is enough time to acclimate 4/4 KD lumber, but that is just a rule of thumb. A digital hygrometer ($20) and decent mositure meter ($100) are cheaper than a fixed base router and will save you a whole lot of heart ache if you build with lumber that comes from a different EMC environment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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