drying. times and methods

[myatt1972]

I have been given an amount of assorted timber that has recently been felled. My question is what do I do with it now?
I assume that I at least need to cut into blanks but what then?
Do I rough out then leave to dry or dry first?
How do you guys dry, I have read about poly bags, paper bags and boiling.
How long do I leave to dry and where is best, I suppose too fast is not good.
Sorry for the list of questions but Ive got lots to learn.
Thanks in advance,
Keith... 

[Philip Greenwood]

Hi Keith

OK let start by asking how long the pieces are in length, if over 3 feet seal both ends with PVA glue, this along with somewhere under cover but with air flow will keep until you can use it.

If you cut them into blanks you risk them splitting, so i would rough turn them them place in poly bags, but keep placing into dry poly bags each week until the bag is always dry, then into a cool workshop for a while, if you have a digital kitchen scale then weight them ever 2 weeks until they do not loose weight then you know that you will need to move them to a dry environment to finish off, them you can finish turn and finish with your normal oil.

Philip

[myatt1972]

All my questions answered and some.
Thanks Philip.