I already have a method to dry wood. Why would I want to use a vacuum kiln to dry wood instead?
There are many advantages of vacuum kiln drying wood over other methods. Here are a few: It provides the quickest results – 1 to 3 days. It greatly reduces the likelihood of drying defects such as checking and cracking. Wood can be dried to any moisture content regardless of environmental conditions. Vacuum kiln drying can also save valuable shop space because the shorter turnaround time between acquiring and using the wood means less material in inventory. Additional advantages are detailed in the book.
How much technical expertise is needed to build the vacuum kiln drying chamber and dry my wood?
Vacuum Kiln Drying for Woodworkers provides clear and concise details on how to build your kiln, including where to get special parts unique to this project. In addition, you will need some common tools and supplies available from any hardware store, plus basic mechanical skills and a can-do attitude.
How much will the whole vacuum kiln drying setup cost?
A part-by-part cost chart is provided in the book—the total is about $500 including the vacuum pump and several optional items. Your cost could be $250 less depending on which optional items you include and if you already own a suitable vacuum pump. In any case, the overall cost to build the vacuum drying system detailed in Vacuum Kiln Drying for Woodworkers compared to the cost of wood used by most woodworkers is negligible.
Is there a vacuum kiln drying kit I can purchase with all the parts I need?
While no all-in-one kit is available at this time, Vacuum Kiln Drying for Woodworkers details everything you will need, and need to do, in order to build your own vacuum kiln drying chamber. It includes a resource directory and links to parts suppliers, as well as troubleshooting tips and answers to common questions.
How long will it take to build the vacuum kiln drying chamber and dry my wood?
Once you have all the parts, you could build the chamber in a single day. Drying a load of wood in the chamber takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the beginning moisture content.
If I buy the book and decide it's something I'm not really interested in doing, can I return it?
You may return Vacuum Kiln Drying for Woodworkers for a full refund (less shipping costs and credit card processing fees) for any reason, at any time, no questions asked.
"Now you can dry the wood youve been saving and get to work! What are you waiting for?"
