LARCH drying question...

[stevenf]

Im cutting European Larch to 25mmx150mm boards.

These are then air-dried - sticked, stacked and strapped.

 

Boards are then planed - PAR on a moulder

 

However, Im getting inconsistent results in the machine.

The boards can only be planed to 140mm either side (if lucky). was hoping for 144mm at least...

 

this is because of Shrinkage...

However, should i be cutting wider boards. ie. does 150mm mean 150mm when wet or when dry?

Bad drying technique?

Bad cutting on the saw?

Larch particularly volatile?

etc?

 

Im sure we are getting accurate green/wet boards to start with.

 

thanks

[Big J]

If I was cutting to get a finished 144mm PAR I'd start at about 165mm, expect it to shrink 8mm and plane off the rest. That's assuming it stays straight....

[Graham w]

i start with 158mm and air dry standing upright for about two to three weeksand then pass through a rip saw. at best i get 148mm square

good slow grown euro larch dosnt shrink much or move too much once cut