"Seasoning"

[Dave Davis]

In the Pacific NW, rivers and Puget Sound (saltwater) are used for transportation. The logs are bundled, built into rafts, and towed to the sawmills or export docks, by tugs. There are many pilings, similar to those shown in Scotland - but not nearly so old- in most of our waterways. Ron N's right (of course) about keeping the logs damp to avoid splitting. The big log yards inland, have huge sprinkler systems that keep the logs wet when it isn't raining (which isn't often this time of year...).

Another "seasoning" that hasn't come up for awhile is the "freezing" method, to improve tone.

Dave Davis, RPT

----- Original Message ----
From: Ron Nossaman <rnossaman at cox.net>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 7:55:55 AM
Subject: "Seasoning"


Soaking in brine would be seasoning to taste, wouldn't it?

As I understand it, the holding ponds at lumber mills were to 
float the logs so they could be sorted and maneuvered more 
easily than on land, keep them clean, and keep them from 
drying out and splitting before they could be planked. After 
being cut up, they can be stacked and stickered, and air/kiln 
dried.

Properly done, short of damaging the wood, there is no 
reported difference in dimensional stability or strength with 
different drying methods.

If anyone finds out different, let me know.

Ron N
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