1 Here is a project to dry your prepared ukulele wood in a fraction of the time it would take to dry naturally. I used an old cooler. Other options include a wooden box lined with styrofoam or an old freezers or refrigerators.
2 Parts include the box, a light for the heat source and a fan to push the air around. Any fan would do but a computer muffin (case) fan to be ideal. These are available for under $10. A box fan would be mounted in the side wall of the box near the bottom.
3 I have used as the heat source a 60 watt small spot light (not halogen!). Any old type incandescent bulb would work, the new type bulbs do not generate enough heat.
4 Some have suggested the heating element from a slow cooker, but for the size of my cooler I think it got a little too warm. 90 to 100 degrees is apparently the ideal range. The slats keep the wood elevated off the bottom.
5 Add holes to the top to allow the heat to escape.
6 Loaded up and ready to dry! I resaw the wood to 3/16ths using stickering to all ow airflow beteen the pieces. The wood will go from 20% moisture to 6 or 7% in 3-4 days. This chest supports 30 inch lengths but 20 inches in a smaller cooler would be all that is necessary for making ukulele. Enjoy!
