Hi guys! Magtataong lang ako kung anong preparations sa woodworking/wood/tools ngayong papasok na tayo sa rainy season? How much does the wood is affected (how much tolerable does it expand when exposed to humidity)? Sa garage kasi ang working area ko at hindi siya closed space. Since ngayon lang medyo lumuwag ang sked ko, gusto ko sanang gumawa ng workbench (top is plywood like what timber 715 made for bosch) and saw horses for legs (for storage issues).
Any suggestions, warnings, comments? thanks thanks thanks!
Re: Woodworking preparation for rainy season?
Properly-sawn/dried lumber expands as much as 1 or 2% in the face of
extremely high humidity. Improperly-sawn/dried lumber shrinks as much
as 6% in the face of low humidity, or even worse. It has to do with the
orientation of the growth rings in the lumber's section.
Wood movement is a significant concern in fine furniture, buuuuut....
IME, a workbench doesn't count (much less sawhorses) as 'fine furniture'.
They're tools, and their intended-use will subject them to greater stresses
than high humidity would, so if I were you, I'd go ahead and build them.
IME, the bigger issue with humidity is how it can affect the application of
finishes (lacquers come out sloudy, drying times are prolonged, etc) but if
you're willing to spend extra for Valspar instead of lacquer, and so forth,
you can still get your woodworking fix in the middle of the wet season.
.
Re: Woodworking preparation for rainy season?
Thanks horge! good to know that expansion and shrinkage of wood is on the minimal percentage. It also clarified my thoughts that workbench are tools and would be subjected to greater pressures, so less worry (OCness hehe) on wood's movement. Thanks also for the finishing aspect/Valspar to help to protect the wood this coming rainy season. Makagawa na! Salamat!
