How Much Did My Lumber Kiln Cost? You Might Be Surprised $

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Moisture meter used in video amzn.to/46XEJO3

[@skyhawksailor8736]

Nathan, I really love listening to you talk about the drying charts. As a Senior in High School in 1976 I worked for Wells Fargo as a guard at Memphis Hardwood, the makers of Chickasaw Hardwood flooring. The building the security guards used during the off hours was where the plant manager's office was, along with other offices and work rooms. This is also where the persons who calculated the drying charts worked from. As the lumber was loaded onto the all steel dollies on rails, the person in charge of checking the moisture level would cut samples, as the workers were stacking the lumber onto two sets of four wheel dollies. As the dollies got full they would push it onto the transfer table. The transfer table could hold about four stacks. The transfer table had about 300 feet of travel to be able to store the stacks in the storage area, and move them from the storage area to the staging area in front of the doors of the short kilns. For the long kilns, they did not have a staging area, and had to stage these kiln loads in the storage area. From the stacking shack they would move the stacks to a storage area on the highway side of the transfer table. I looked on Google Earth Pro and was able to measure the kilns and the storage yard for the rail dollies with lumber ready for the kilns. I used the 2003 satellite picture to measure the kilns, transfer table and the storage area. I measured the stacks in the storage area to be eight feet wide by as long as 12 feet long. I do not remember the actual number of kilns they had, but they had two lengths of kilns, and I think each kiln was 10-12 feet wide. The short kilns were 148 feet long and there was 200 feet width worth of kilns, so as many as 20 short kilns. The long kilns were 225 feet long and they are 80 feet wide. After the stack was ready to leave the stacking shed the man would mark the stack and the bag of samples. He would take them to the office where there were some small steam kilns, heated from the same boiler which drove the production kilns. The fuel for the boiler was all the scrap cuttings and sawdust from the plant. Besides the security guard on the second and third shift, there was also a boiler fireman. The man would take the samples to the office and using the small band saw, cut slots in them all the way across the sample. He would weigh them and put them in the little kiln in the office. The next morning he would weigh them to get the moisture content and calculate how slow to bring the kiln to temperature, how long to keep at temperature and the cool down time and speed. He also told me I could use one of the small kilns to heat my lunch. One day I took a can of ready to eat soup to eat and put it in the kiln, but did not know to cut a slot in the lid. The can was bulging when I went to eat it. The next time I punched the top with the can opener before I put it in the kiln. The man who calculated the drying time would then have stacks with the same moisture content then staged in front of the kiln they would be pushed into. Once the kiln was cooled down the the dried stacks were ready to be pushed out, they used an old surplus Naval Air tow tractor, to push the new stack into the kiln. As he was pushing the stacks into the kiln the green lumber stacks were pushing the dry stacks out of the kiln to the transfer table on the other side of the kiln, which was inside the plant. As the transfer table got full they stopped and moved the stacks to the area in the plant to put each board onto the conveyor belt to start being processed. As these stacks were being moved the man pushing the green stacks would get more green stacks to keep pushing into the kiln. They kept repeating till all the dry wood was removed and the kiln was full of green wood. They then closed both ends of the kiln and the man would start the slow rise of the kiln temperature. if you look there are two control buildings on top of the kilns where they controlled and monitored all the kilns. To find the old Memphis Hardwood location go to Google Earth Pro and set the Historical Imagery to 2/2003. Find where highway 51 crosses over the Wolf River. About two blocks South of the Wolf river on the West side of Highway 51, is a curved warehouse with half of the roof is white the other half is brown. It is labeled "Hhh Distribution", Memphis Hardwood is the next property South of the white section of the roof ends.

[@bobwollard9105]

Nathan, I really enjoy watching as you work on the mill or just around your land. But, I really do appreciate it when you stop and share all of the information concerning the kiln and air drying operations. I own a couple of hundred acres in the forest lands of east Texas. My goal is to start harvesting, milling and drying lumber for my woodworking operations. Thank you so much for sharing the incredibly useful information about these operations. Have a great one, friend.

[@lordkanti8260]

I’ve never been impressed by classic cars or expensive watches but machines like this is what it’s all about. 😍

[@snobear41]

Well Nathan, the good news about having the black snake is you won't have any copperheads around and that my friend is a GOOD thing!- Tyler

[@gruntqueen]

I learn something new every time you post. I may never use what I learn, but then again, I might.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

thanks for watching

[@olleroma]

Great info on air drying, thanks Nathan.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

You bet

[@daviddifonzo7938]

Thanks. I appreciate when you talk dollar numbers.

[@texasjetman]

By golly I watched again with adds because you are 100% worth my time Nathan Elliott. Not because we share ancestors on my grandmother side but because you are awesome 🤠🇺🇸✝️

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

I appreciate it👍👍

[@texasjetman]

@@OutoftheWoods0623 hands Down 100% you are my favorite creator. Your so real and I can wait to meet you in person someday ❤️🤠🇺🇸🙏

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

I am more anxious than you buddy

[@DavidMoonWainwright]

Nathan, 20 years ago when we lived in Missouri, we had some kitchen cabinets made by a local cabinetmaker. Just as he was finishing them up, he came across some termite runs through the ash. Now, I don't know if he got the lumber from a yard or a small mill, but he came to us very upset. He was going to burn all the cabinets! We ended up installing them in the mudroom instead and he remade the kitchen cabinets. Not sure, but I believe wherever he got the lumber from made it right. Got to be careful! Use the kilns!

[@juliehenry5353]

I was an incoming material inspector for the cabinetry company I worked for - I would have to go to the Demension Mills ( we had 2 ) when we were having problems - boy did I learn a lot - ialso spread my new knowledge to other Co workers so the would understand the difference between a Finish Mill and a Rough Mill.😊

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks Nathan for the $$$$$$$$ break down on cost 👍

[@johnwinsemius4423]

Thank you very much for this video. You basically answered my questions.Again you explain things for a simple minded old timer. Fancy words don't cut it with me, I work with the method of K.I.S.S.

[@donaldadams5342]

I'm glad I don't saw lumber Nathan & have to work all that out but still it was very interesting to here you go through what is involved, & it's a lot. Cheers mate, Don from South Australia.

[@slonefactor]

Very informative and well spoken advise on drying wood...excellent video Nathan.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Thanks 👍

[@justjane2070]

Thank you Nathan. That was very interesting 🌲🌳🌲🌳

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Very welcome

[@davewilliams639]

I got an education on Kiln drying...Thank You!

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

You bet!

[@scottmedori1437]

The local tree removal company put a series of C-cans together for their kiln. He uses a wood burning setup to run the kilns, and heat his building. Far cheaper than electric heat

[@helenjohnson7583]

Your vocation is no easy job! Thanks for explaining so much to us!

[@johnhamilton1098]

So impressed with your knowledge.... You continue to be my very favorite channel, EVER! Thank you for sharing!

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Appreciate you!

[@jeffpeters1014]

Very informative, most folks have no idea what it takes to produce quality dried lumber.

[@texasjetman]

He sure takes his time explaining every detail that truly helps us that have zero experience in the sawyer lumber business. Truly have learned a lot from him over the years watching his channel.

[@refurbansuburban]

Excellent demonstration and information. I thank you kindly.

[@jormbell3]

Thank you for your explanation of the kiln and wood. I appreciate all your videos even though I’m not a sawyer. Enjoy the process.

[@johngagne986]

Boy, that was a fire-hose of information. Learning a lot from you Mr Elliot and thankful for it.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

👍

[@MyDogmatix]

Ever get dead snakes when you crack open the kiln? (Edit addition). Btw! These long videos, explaining what you do, are some of the best videos! I’m just a city craftsman carpenter and I love this stuff and live vicariously with these vid’s.

[@texasjetman]

That’s some good information Nathan. I am hearing Whiskey Barrel makers are running short on white oak. So premium prices on the way. No I could not handle the snake at my feet and remain as calm as you did well done.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Indeed. You are right

[@allanb9360]

That was very informative. And, snakes on the plain as well👍🇨🇦

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Thanks 👍

[@markrothenberg9867]

Enjoyed watching this video and hearing all the information about the right things to do to prepare wood for furniture making.

[@richardcorwin1828]

To make it you have to spend it. Thank you for sharing Nathan.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

You bet

[@Phipps-]

You just answered both my questions from the live that ya just refused to answer...I appreciate that, big help when u factor in all the pennies involved

[@JM-sz4oi]

I never sawed my own wood and don’t build furniture (non-professional) any more. This was really informative and interesting. Thanks!!

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rickweissmann7101]

Thanks again Nathan for the Outstanding video. God bless you and your family 🙏

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Very welcome

[@Kebmoz]

Learned a lot from this video! Would have liked to hear an example or two of what poor sawing techniques would show themselves when drying in the kiln. And I ran one of those KATO machines as a rental a few months ago. Crazy large cockpit, very slow travel.

[@zapa1pnt]

Baldor motors have been, pretty much, the gold standard of industrial motors, since they began in 1920. 😁✌🖖

[@TripleLRusticDesigns]

Great video!

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Thanks!

[@deladally1286]

Oh my Nathan, you sure did keep your cool about that snake!

[@1striperon]

Thank you, Nathan, for your explanation of drying oak lumber. I love quartersawn white oak to make furniture. Wish I were closer to buy from you. 😄

[@AndirHon]

He sells wholesale, not direct to consumer

[@1striperon]

I understand.

[@tonygrimes13]

@@AndirHon Not so, he also has online sales.

[@jnich17]

Thanks for the educational on wood drying. I learned some things. Keep them coming.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Thanks, will do!

[@tyettu]

Out of The Woods drinking game, everytime Nathan says dry take a drink!🎉

[@joebufford2972]

I've been wondering about your kill and I think you just answered about all the questions I had sure it takes money to make money but there's no excuse for a quality piece of equipment

[@Smithsgold]

Well done

[@JGrabo2271]

Mr. Elliot another interesting video. Thank you for sharing. ..

[@matthewhaaland4004]

Great video Nathan! Always a pleasure watching you.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Thanks for watching

[@floydbrennan9300]

Thank you, sir. A lot of valuable information.

[@lounar482]

Certainly wasn't aware of how much cost is involved in bringing lumber to market. Now we know why lumber ain't cheap!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us Nathan, Stay safe around there, Fred

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Thank you, I will

[@michaelwilson4132]

I was doing that 50 years ago little brother!

[@dmorgan28]

Great video Nathan. That was a lot of good information. 👍❤️

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Glad you think so!

[@richardthornhill4630]

Good recommendations. A word for the wise.

[@kitb9948]

Thanks for a great video. I've got a solar kiln but am looking to eventually upgrade to a dehumidification kiln like yours. This info is very helpful.

[@warthogA10]

All the ash in my area are gone, dying due to bugs, Its very sad, and a massive impact to the environment. They make up a lot of the trees here. Personally i think some of the eco damage in my region is the mosquito spraying goong on for years too...

[@andysmith8544]

Great info Mr. Elliott

[@evankibbe590]

Great explanation Nathan 😊😊😊😊👍👍

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Thanks! 😃

[@byronc8986]

Very informative video, Nathan. Enjoyed it.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@michaelwilson4132]

thanks for the content.

[@geraldschrader8511]

Where do you store your lumber after taking it out of the kiln? If you stored it outdoors, wouldn't it start absorbing moisture again?

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

It usually gets sold right out of the kiln

[@tonygrimes13]

@@OutoftheWoods0623 Called *"Just in time for customer"* - as all manufactures do!!!!

[@fondadeen1164]

Thanks Nathan great Info

[@gslope1]

Lots of questions, but the main ones...If you kiln dry and then store it in an unconditioned place I assume the moister content will then go back up? Once it is sterilized can bugs become a problem again. I would think they can. Powder post are what we seem most concerned with here.

[@johncollins719]

The wood will gain back a percent or two. Once kiln dried the cell walls in the wood become harder and less permeable to moisture.

[@r0addoctor]

Nathan, your kiln is a perfect candidate for solar and possibly wind power to help offset the cost of electric. Those systems are getting cheaper and yes, it would take awhile before you break even, but then you'd be home free. You have the room for whatever you'd need and it just may be something worth looking into. Just a thought. Love your videos. We're coming down there next week, to Nashville to take in some of your fine state. Looking forward to that. Take care.

[@CraigGrant-sh3in]

A local school system near me is the first school district to go 100% solar in the country. They have four school complexes plus a bus garage , stadium lighting ..... Their electric bill is $00.00

[@wedgesfirewood5294]

Thank you!

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

You're welcome!

[@1954JDR]

Thanks for the information.👍👍

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

No problem 👍

[@shannondavis9020]

Very cool, very good info

[@Iamkcs2c]

I like all your content, but i particularly like your more technical videos.

[@michelem9341]

Excellent video

[@hingstonia]

Did you ever look at using the slab wood in an outdoor boiler as a heat source for the kiln? Would use up the scrap wood productively.

[@billrichardsjr]

So what is your ROI? Love your channel!

[@larrypalmer2415]

I see you found your long lost Go Pro camera when you opened the doors to your kiln!! Good find!!........🤣🤣🤣

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

😁

[@TheZambie1]

That was a very informative video. I am building myself a new home and I just sent some Cherry from my land to the mill for a few interior projects. My plan was to air dry it in my climate controlled basement but now I'm nervous about the bugs you mentioned. Can I spray it with a water based insecticide such as Cyzmic CS? I don't see why not. I use it every year around my home & shop and it doesn't stain.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

nope has to be heat treated to kill the bugs, spraying on outside of the board will not penetrate the ones in the wood,

[@kenashton32]

Today the chamber starts at $50K and the dehumidifier at $15K. Crazy!!!

[@rs2024-s4u]

To use a container it's best to get a freezer container or you heating and operating costs will skyrocket and shipping containers are limited to end loading which meant a rail loading unloading system thats not remotely as efficient as side loading. Your advice to purchase the system with side loading and insullated is very sound and cost effective in the long run. What is cost of your remote moisture content measuring system. Thanks for a informative video. Ray Stormont

[@tonygrimes13]

I think you made this comment on wrong video!!!!!!!!!!

[@zacharyperry1254]

Hi Nathan, I love your videos. I have some large slabs from a neighbor's tree that are full of larva. I've almost finished my solar kiln. Do you know how hot I need to keep this wood for how long to kill the larva, so then I can finish air drying on my garage. I live in Utah and I looked up my EMC (thanks for teaching me about that btw) and it gets down to 6-7% EMC, so I'll finish it inside. I just wanna kill all the grubs before bringing it in. Thanks again

[@jimhume4581]

Great info. I do appreciate it.

[@rjtumble]

Great stuff, thanks for the info!

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

You bet!

[@joeysweet9045]

Can you get a kiln that is deeper it seems like yours isn't that deep if you could put more wood in it it seems like it would be more efficient, maybe 5' deeper or so?

[@jamesvanpelt-nk7by]

Thank you for the information

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

You bet!

[@randydobson1863]

hello nathan it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks friends randy

[@gregtaylor3432]

Nice mallet!!

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Thanks!

[@BriyonH]

Nathan, Thanks for the informative video. So does this mean if you removed that wood from the kiln and let it sit, stacked outside, for another year that it would return to the 15% to 17% of your environment? In other words does kiln dried wood need to be stored inside after it is removed from the kiln?

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Yes, absolutely

[@earlhunt8271]

I notice on the last batch of timber placed in the kiln was warped. What caused that?

[@James.......]

I need to get some 4/4 white oak for when I remodel my kitchen

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

This is all sold

[@James.......]

@@OutoftheWoods0623 how dare you

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

@@James....... 😂😂

[@andrewchild1592]

Hi Nathan.... excellent content as usual 👍👍 just a quick question if you don't mind be asking. I'm in London UK and if it's not confusing enough, some wood supplies deal in Imperial measurements and some in metric. When you refer to say 4 quarter, is that 1" full imperial size, if so, why don't you call it 1"🤔🤔

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Yes 4/4 is 1in

[@asbrand]

As Nathan said, yes, 4/4 is 1" in Imperial. And it is measured "by the quarter inch" because that's how it is sold. So, 6/4 would be an inch and a half.

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Confirmed

[@ascottpatterson]

I may have asked b4 , but... wondering if you ever get or saw any Bird's eye maple? My G.G.Grand Father made 2 picture frames that my family still has both frame and W.C. Setches of my G.G.G. Grand parents. So was just wondering as the Frames are made from Bird's eye Maple

[@TheKevinlamarr]

I am curious if you or anyone here would know if using logs that came out of the kiln with 10% or less MC could be used for building a cabin

[@mbaker825]

Any future plans for some solar panels to help offset the cost of running the kiln?

[@MrDmorgan52]

I was going to ask the same thing!

[@keen1957]

Have you ever sawed a log that has been under water for years?

[@BullfrogKid1234]

Where can I find an EMC chart for my local area. I looked online and couldn't find anything.

[@gojoe36]

I am guessing you dry the lumber AFTER you have a buy contract....would that be correct? Otherwise where would you store it.

[@jillatherton4660]

👍

[@wunstop6026]

Pink panther..I saw him

[@Outdoorsinthecarolinas]

How would this kiln work with ibc cages of mixed hardwoods like oak, ash, hickory for firewood , is drying firewood different than boards, what is your opinion on this and suggestions

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

that is a good question for NYLE, I am not sure on what you asked, good question though

[@Outdoorsinthecarolinas]

@@OutoftheWoods0623 thanks brother, good content!!

[@RickyWilson-t5e]

I have some pine logs with bugs Boreing down in the logs I ordered a lt 35 woodmizer won't b here till March 2024 when I cut the logs what do I sterilize the wood with thanks my name is Ricky Wilson from Cleveland Tennessee I mention your name at woodmizer thay New who you was

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

I’d bet those pine might be too far gone by then. Lt35 great mill!

[@DocktorHoop]

NATHAN! You closed up the kiln with the camera inside! You're gonna dry it out!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

😂

[@paulheffron3951]

Hi Nathan, Have you considered using a few buckets of silica gel inside your kiln to speed up drying? It is not new, and you find small packets of it in optical equipment an pharmaceuticals. It turns color when its saturated. You refresh it just by heating it up. It's cheap too. You might look at some websites of companies that sell the stuff.

[@johnsouza4391]

So what do you get for rough sawn red oak? $6? Maybe more? 2k bd ft is 12k$ 4 or 5 loads and the kiln just paid for itself.

[@donniebrown4368]

That's a down payment on a house. Wow nice buddy 👍

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Thanks 👍

[@donblaise]

Nathan, where geographically do you live?

[@DavidRobinson-mx6cl]

😊🙏👍❤️

[@anthonythompson4110]

That old saying rings true today more than ever. It takes money to make money

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

I used the same advice in college.. always sterilize your wood