The Two Most Important Steps in any Live Edge Woodworking Project
No matter the project, preparation is key. You wouldn’t cook a gourmet meal without fresh ingredients and a sharp knife. So why start your next woodworking project with wet wood that could warp or crack as it dries?
But that’s exactly what happens to many beginners because you don’t know what questions to ask when buying slabs (check out this blog to get the right questions). A seller might say the wood is dried. They may even show you a moisture reading, so you believe them. But then you bring it home and, partway through your project - or worse, after you’ve finished - the slab starts to shift, crack, or cup. And you’re left wondering what went wrong.
What likely happened is that you purchased wood that wasn’t fully dried.
Fresh-cut wood can contain over 30% moisture. But for indoor furniture and decor, the target moisture content is around 6–10%. That’s a massive drop that’s hard to achieve without the right tools.
Some sellers rely on air drying, which is a slower, less consistent method. It takes roughly one year per inch of thickness and is heavily dependent on climate and storage conditions. Plus, wood air dries from the outside in, which means it might look dry on the surface while still holding moisture deep inside. That internal moisture can later lead to cracks, splits, or warping - even after your build is complete.
And let’s be honest: air drying doesn’t cost you money but it takes up your space, your time, and your attention. You need to ensure proper airflow, protection from the elements, and months (or years) of patience. Things most people don’t have.
Why Kiln Drying Makes All the Difference
The best solution? Kiln drying and the industry leader for smaller operations specializing in urban lumber is the iDry.
The iDry is a vacuum kiln that lowers the boiling point of water, extracting moisture from the inside out in a controlled environment. It allows for faster, more even drying. It removes those internal pockets of moisture that cause future problems. An iDry can take a thick slab from green to ready in just 4–6 weeks, not 4–6 years.
Better yet, it does more than dry. The iDry kiln is USDA-certified to kill insects, larvae, mold, and fungi. Kiln drying removes all the guesswork. You’re not just getting dry wood; you’re getting clean, stable, dependable material for your project.
Wood slabs ready to be loaded into the iDry
Why CNC Flattening Takes It Further
Even kiln dried slabs can shift slightly — that’s just the nature of wood. The solution? Precision CNC flattening.
A CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine uses a router head guided by software to remove high spots and twists in a slab, resulting in a perfectly level surface. This is especially helpful for irregular or oversized slabs that won’t fit in a planer or that hand tools can’t quite reach or remain consistent.
A flat surface is critical for certain builds. Think tables, desks, and shelves: if your slab isn’t dead flat, joints won’t line up, finishes won’t sit evenly, and you’ll likely end up with a piece that rocks, wobbles, or just feels...off.
CNC flattening ensures:
Clean joinery
Predictable dimensions
A smooth surface that’s ready to build on
Flattened slab on the CNC
What to Ask Before Buying Wood
Next time you're browsing slabs, don’t be afraid to ask:
Was this slab kiln dried?
Where was it dried — on-site or by a service provider?
Was it CNC flattened or prepped for building?
If the answer is “no” or “I’m not sure,” it’s okay to walk away. Or ask for a reduced price and bring it to someone who can prep it properly for you. Trust us, it is worth it. We’ve flattened warped tables mid-build. And we’ve had more than one customer bring us a finished product to sterilize because bugs were coming out. These pieces were finished and in our customers’ homes!
You wouldn’t prep that gourmet meal with a dull knife and wilted vegetables. So don’t start your woodworking project with unstable, damp wood that could ruin your final piece. Kiln drying and CNC flattening is the kind of invisible prep work that will save you hours later and separates great projects from frustrating ones. Whether you're a first-time builder or a seasoned woodworker, kiln-dried, CNC-flattened wood gives your ideas the solid foundation they deserve.
At Welhous Studio, we kiln dry and can flatten all slabs in-house; so you can spend less time correcting and more time building.
Stop by the shop or check out our current inventory online — we’re ready to help you build something that lasts.
