We have been getting a lot of feedback about the significant quality difference between our wood and other wood you can buy.
The secret. Our lumber is air dried.
http://www.fullchisel.com/blog/?p=393
Above is a blog we found that really explained the reasons Air Dried lumber is a better product to work with. In it it says,
"When wood is heated above 185 degrees (F), fatty acids in the lignin change, harden and can not be altered from that more rigid state. This produces wood that is harder and more brittle than wood that has dried naturally. There can also be casehardening to the outside of the wood forming a refractory surface. These can be a problem for working with tools, gluing with Hide Glue and can effect stains and finishes.
Wood when green contains both free water within the fibers of the cellulose and bound water which is within the cells themselves. As the wood dries naturally (air dry) the bound water replaces the free water as it evaporates slowly from the wood. As this happens the wood shrinks, more across or around the grain and not much at all in its length. A board will get somewhat narrower but only its loss of length is insignificant. When wood is artificially dried the water leaves quickly causing cell rupture and collapse."
We definitely recommend you read this, and feel free to ask us questions about why we do things the way we do.
See you at the lumber yard!
