Facts and nots : was Recommend Rebuilder?

[Farrell]

----- Original Message ----- 
>I have questions. Is it possible that the pianos made before the 50s
> were made using wood that was seasoned more?

If seasoning is defined as air-drying, then yes.

> Is it possible that the
> fast drying of the spruce that is used today has changed the way it will
> swell and shrink with time?

Well, yes it is possible. And it is possible that improper kiln drying will 
be detrimental to spruce over time. However, one really needs to understand 
the basic process of wood drying. Air-drying of wood can be very good - but 
only under controlled circumstances. If the wood dries out too quickly (easy 
to do with air-drying - uncontrolled sun, uncontrolled humidity, 
uncontrolled wind speed, uncontrolled temperature, etc.) it is easy to 
permanently damage the spruce.

PROPER kiln drying is by far the best, most controlled, way to dry green 
spruce. One can damage wood just as easily with kiln drying as with air 
drying. Maybe I should correct that. One has control over kiln parameters, 
so it is easier to monitor/control environmental wood drying parameters. 
With air-drying, one has little if any control.

And believe me, I know. I have had shipments of green wood arrive at my shop 
and have had a dry weather spell - the spruce starts cracking within a day - 
if you don't have the means to control RH and move air you get in trouble 
real fast.

Bottom line: Old methods of drying wood - fine many times, sometimes maybe 
not so good. New methods of drying wood (modern kiln): If used properly, is 
much better and more reliable than air drying. But again, only if done 
properly.

Terry Farrell

> If a piece of lumber is seasoned for a few
> years, would that change the way it will react to humidity swings? Maybe
> manufacturers are just producing these units too fast.
>
> Only questions, but I'd rather be in dout than beleive in lies.
>
> Marcel Carey, RPT
> Sherbrooke, QC