Virginia Tech® home

Drying Lumber with a Solar Kiln Workshop

Solar kiln

 

May 16, 2019 to May 17, 2019, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

    Brooks Forest Products Center, 1650 Research Center Drive,     Blacksburg, Virginia.

 

Who should attend:

Small scale woodworking facility or hobby woodworker interested in drying lumber.

Specifically those interested in dry lumber with solar energy or drying lumber using a low cost technology.

Course Information:

Solar kiln design and construction

  • Plans and design criteria
  • Kiln limitations
  • How to modify to meet your needs
  • Basics of construction
  • Marketing Intelligence for Exports

Operation of the solar kiln

  • Air drying or green?
  • Measuring moisture content<
  • Running the kiln
  • Auxiliary heat
  • Stress in drying

Drying Defects and Maintaining Moisture Content of Dry Lumber

  • Avoiding common drying defects
  • Keeping kiln dried lumber dry
  • Running the kiln

Cost: 

$89 (includes course instruction, course notes, breaks, and lunches for two days.)

Instructor Information:

Dr. Bond has extensive experience in working closely with the wood industry as an extension specialist and consultant in the areas of lumber drying, wood and moisture relations, and sawmill efficiency. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products at Virginia Tech. He provides extension programming for the hardwood industry, conducts drying research, and teaches a lumber manufacturing class to undergraduate students.
More information on Brian Bond

Transportation:

Each participant is responsible for his or her own transportation and lodging.

The closest airport is located 45 minutes away in Roanoke, VA (ROA); however, Charlotte, NC (CLT) is just under 3 hours away.