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Thread: Bandsawing a Spotted Gum
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1st September 2013, 09:24 AM #106
Thanks DJ (and Paul)
As you saw my level of modern technology let me down badly. Thanks for sorting it. I will have to give that a try next time.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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1st September 2013, 09:31 AM #107
No worries Paul
Just knew that it was there but must admit, I had to work out how to use it , don't think I've used it on here beforeCheers
DJ
ADMIN
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1st September 2013, 10:01 PM #108
The solar kiln
Some pix as promised (threatened?).
spotty 6 006.jpgspotty 6 001.jpgspotty 6 002.jpgspotty 6 003.jpgspotty 6 005.jpg
As you can see, it is not rocket science. The primary problem is holding down the plastic against the wind. The 150mm pipe is quite heavy and it is rolled around the plastic. This is easier to do at the sides. The ends are a problem as there is additional material all prone to catching the wind and acting like a sail.
There are small stakes hammered into the ground to resist movement of the pipes. Of course if I didn't have the pipes I probably would have used similar sized logs.
I need access which will be from the front (pic 2) to take moisture measurements.
How will it all work. I'm hoping for a good result but it is what it is. At the moment there is minimal air flow and no provision for the removal of moisture. I am planing to put some small fans in place and introduce a hot (hotter) air flow into the kiln area. This will create the all important air circulation as well as lifting the temperature. To some extent the moisture, because there is only a dirt floor, is absorbed, but I doubt it is efficient or sufficient. However in it's defence, the essence of a solar kiln is still gentle drying with, of course, unavoidable "spelling" during the night, which involves some re-absorption.
I may have to introduce some ventilation also at a later date.
The next step is for me to move the pile of logs (old power poles) behind the stack so I can site the "hot box."
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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1st September 2013, 10:07 PM #109
The kiln again
I should have mentioned that I intend to place some temperature sensors in both the kiln and the "hot box." I am anticipating that the kiln will add about 10C to 15C to the ambient temp. It is a bit like the water in your garden hose. There is a practical maximum to which it can heat before it gives up its temperature to the surrounding air.
It would be different if the kiln was insulated. I think +20C would be the norm.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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4th September 2013, 08:24 PM #110
Modifications
I had to make some modifications to the structure. Two days ago I moved all the concrete off the stack and moved the iron inwards so it is clear of the plastic. That was an ordeal. It was hot and humid in the kiln. Ugly! I don't think I will have to worry too much about not making temperature.
spotty 6 001.jpgspotty 6 002.jpg
Today it was apparent a combination of the wind and drawing the plastic tight had moved the end frames inwards allowing the plastic to contact the stack.
Drying kiln 002.jpgDrying kiln 004.jpg
So I placed timber battens across the top of the frames (on the underside of the pipe). This seems to have done the trick for the moment, but I suspect it will need further reinforcing to counter the effect of the wind. I'm not quite sure how I will do that as I am now in uncharted territory. The previous solar kiln I made as nowhere near as high and didn't provide the same level of wind resistance.
Drying kiln 005.jpgDrying kiln 008.jpgDrying kiln 009.jpgDrying kiln 007.jpg
I also took the opportunity to put some protectors on the top of the star pickets as it is possible they will chafe on the
plastic.
Drying kiln 012.jpgDrying kiln 011.jpg
Next stage is to make the "Hot box" and add some forced circulation to create airflow. That's a little way away as there is a list of things considered essential by SWMBO that have to be done first .
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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4th September 2013, 08:57 PM #111Skwair2rownd
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Doing well there Paul!
Poor old Fergie! A lot to ask of a relatively unsophisticated hydraulic system.
I had a Horndraulic loader attached to my old 65Mk.2 had to fit a two way lock out valve
and several extra levers to be able to use front and back implements separately.
In my case I used the front end loader to lift bins of oranges onto the old TJ Bedford.
Made Myself a set of TPL forks that I sat a full bin of oranges on as a counterweight.
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5th September 2013, 01:49 AM #112
Hot Box
Hi Paul, by hotbox I assume you mean an auxilliary heat supply with fan/s to move air out of and into the main kiln, I made up what I am calling a mini solar kiln which could be either a stand alone unit or be incorporated into a larger system like yours, one day I plan on doing something similliar with mine.
A few pics of the mini kiln.....
plenty of room for veneers.JPGairflow baffles.JPGhot airflow baffles.JPGwith the glass front.JPG
From memory I think it reached well over 50°C, I used an old stove range hood fan and two shower screen doors.
Pete
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5th September 2013, 08:28 AM #113
Arthur
The main issue with the Fergie is the 3PL hydraulics are linked to the clutch and the PTO. If the clutch is down the hydraulics don't work. A further complication with mine is that there is a fault with the hydraulics whereby there is no positioning possible,. The 3PL is up or it is down. Not even as versatile as the Grand Old Duke of York as there is no halfway position. A few other additional idiosyncrasies really get my blood boiling.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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5th September 2013, 08:32 AM #114
Pete
Yes the principle will be very similar, but not as smart looking as yours. I have a couple of fans out of a commercial soft drink fridge, which I am looking at using. The main issue is distributing the air across the drying stack. I'm not sure if they will create sufficient flow as they are not large.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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5th September 2013, 11:57 AM #115
What about those roof-type whirly-gigs?
If you put one on top of a large-diameter tube/pipe you could draw air out from any height from the ground upwards???
and someone ... can't find it now ... mentioned air-slots low on one side and high on the other ... any use?
Paul
ps ... "I know nothin-k" ...
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5th September 2013, 12:34 PM #116Bushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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5th September 2013, 01:49 PM #117Skwair2rownd
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
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- Dundowran Beach
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- 694
My first Fergi had exactly that hydraulic set up Paul. Regular PITA. Worst thing is that it is
impossible to modify them.
I guess any later model of any brand tracor would do the job. They should be cheap enough
to acquire and fix.
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16th January 2014, 08:03 PM #118
It is well overdue for me to post some latest drying figures. I had planned to do this on a more regular basis, but I get easily distracted:
Timber Size Surface reading Centre reading Spotted Gum (first batch) 100 x 50 9% (20%) {49%} 18% (54%) {>70%} Forest Red Gum (sample 1) 100 x 50 7% (12%) {13.5%} 9.5% (13%) {14%} Forest Red Gum (sample 2) 100 x 38 8% (12.5%) (13%) Spotted Gum (second batch) 125 x 25 9% (45%) Spotted Gum (second batch) 200 x 50 16.5% (55%)
The figures in the first set of brackets date from 30 August last year and in the curly brackets from 4 June.
I don't think there are any surprises here.
The 25mm Spotted Gum boards would be ready to use so drying time for them has been six to seven months. The Forest Red Gum is also ready to use, but it started off a lot dryer. More time still required for the 50mm thick Spotted Gum.
Perhaps the most interesting data is for the the first batch of Spotted Gum where the moisture gradient between the surface and the centre of the board illustrates the fundamental issue in drying timber successfully.
One other comment in regards to the Spotted Gum is that the second batch of timber has dried more quickly than a similar thickness from the first batch. The second batch is at the top of the pile.
I measured temperature inside the kiln (I use the term loosely for what is no more than a piece of plastic. It was two degrees hotter inside at ground level than ambient, but four degrees hotter where the top sample board was measured.
Clearly this is an airflow problem. I started to build the "hot box" and fan forced airflow, but more distractions have prevented me completing that.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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23rd February 2022, 08:28 AM #119New Member
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