How to dry boards

[Sandtiger]

I am looking for temperature settings and duration of time that should be used to dry out boards. My 9 yr old daughter wants to do a board break demo and I would like to increase the brittleness of the boards but don't want to over bake them. I appreciate any info you might have. I also am aware that I can score the boards.

[GranFire]

Boooo

Set them on or near a heat for a couple of weeks, that should work just fine. Make sure you get not the finest Pine. My Manual suggests #3 Pine...(my instructor advised us NOT to purchase from Lowe's as their stuff is really tough to break - it's better for shelves I guess ^_^)

In the ITA we have staggered board sizes for Juniors. 9 year olds break a 5 inch piece of 1x12 or a yellow re-breakable board, 10 and 11 break a 7 inch or orange re-breakable.

The secret is - really - a swift execution of good technique. 90% of it is mental I think. (how long do you have for prep time?)

[osopardo]

#3 grade white pine should be dry enough.

NOT #2 southern yellow pine, which is a structural grade.

[GranFire]

I just remembered my instructor saying something about spruce breaking easier?

Not sure though.

[Sandtiger]

Thanks for the input. I tested a couple of boards with her last night and they broke fairly easily. I think she will be fine, I just didn't want her to try and do a board break and then come up against a real tough one since these aren't demo boards.

[GranFire]

Thanks for the input. I tested a couple of boards with her last night and they broke fairly easily. I think she will be fine, I just didn't want her to try and do a board break and then come up against a real tough one since these aren't demo boards.

That is excellent.

However, there are boards sometimes that don't break easily, that happens. even at a Demo, no problem, set it beck up and try again, maybe use a different technique....it's also very impressive whenit finaly does break...because, it's for real and not faked!

[WildWest.]

Put the wood in the hot water cupboard for as long as possible. Simple as that.

[GranFire]

What is a hot water cupboard ?


How is the demo coming along? (I am nosey, I know...)

[WildWest.]

What is a hot water cupboard ?

Are you serious??

It's a small cupboard housing the large cylinder that supplies hot water to the household. It's quite warm inside it so ideal for drying damp clothes or drying out boards.

[wavyd]

I was about to ask the same thing. Thanks WildWest. In my part of the US our hot water heaters are just stuck various places in the house or attached garage, sometimes even in the ceiling for some newer models.

[GranFire]

Exactly. Thanks for explaining the term.

[WildWest.]

Hey no worries!!