Silica Gel for Drying wood

[J. Hoffman]

Does anyone know if these would help dry wood. I'm thinking about putting the wood blocks in a Rubbermaid container with a couple of these. I'm looking to get it down to 10% to send out for stabilizing. Any idea if this stuff would help? I've used them in my gun safe for years, and I don't have any rust in there.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

My guess is it is not what you want.

Make a small drying cabinet. A wooden or metal cabinet with a couple cubic feet of space, a 75W light bulb in the bottom, and some 1/2" holes in the top. Put the wood on wire shelves and turn on the bulb.....close the door. Check the moisture content every week.

 

[MBB]

Stacy is correct. That is a common small volume wood kiln design. I would recommend waxing or Anchorseal-ing the wood if you haven't already. It helps to prevent warping.

I usually Anchorseal mine and stack/sticker it in the attic of my shop in the winter. By the next fall, most of the wood is acceptably dry.

Mike