Thanks for the info, John. In wood boat construction, we would "encapsulate" wood parts in epoxy basically sealing in whatever moisture content existed at the time. This works great, but tends to be a bit heavy. Probably not too practical for aircraft. I suspect aircraft wood doesn't see the weather extremes of wood and less drastic sealing techniques would work well. I've been looking over the Fly Baby plans that a friend successfully built from. Finally a homebuilt that seems to be a serious airplane. I still haven't decided whether to buy or build, yet. Thanks agaiun for the info. Eric On Tue, 28 Dec 1999 05:10:35 +0000, you wrote: >FlyBaby > >Season's Greetings Eric, hope Santa didn't try to stuff a baby down your >chimney > >I'm not a moisture specialist but my baby was built in Washington state, >taken to West Texas, New Mexico, Kentucky and back to Texas. She never >exhibited any signs of looseness or give me any problems. I think the >moisture content is sealed in with the preserving process. (Sealer). I >only use two part sealer, (stits). 4 coats at that. First two coats thinned >for penetration and two coats normal. If the baby is sealed good as she >should be, there shouldn't be a problem. Mine was sealed good in the wing >panels but not too good in the lower Longerons. Still had no problems. I'm >sure this mail will raise some discussions. Pro n Con. > >I think Ken Rand who designed the KR series of airplanes, said it best, >cheap varnish and single stage polyurethane is for "cheap boat decks and >masks", made of Teak, that has natural oil in them for protection and "they >have no place on an airplane". Unfortunately I can not tell the difference >between the two part and single stage, after they dry. > >Over look my "ramblings and spelling", I'm up at 4 am with a neck ache >taking "hydrocodone" tablets and typing this in a codeine fog. > >Just my 2 cents worth. > >JB. >http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/launchpad/9700/ > >-----Original Message----- >From: ejj1@earthlink.net <ejj1@earthlink.net> >To: FlyBaby <FlyBaby@listbot.com> >Date: December 28, 1999 06:57 AM >Subject: Moisture Content Changes > > >FlyBaby > >I've been around wood boats for many years, but wood airplanes are new to >me. > >Are there any problems with normal changes in moisture content in a Fly Baby >(or >other wood airplane). For example, suppose I were to buy a Fly Baby in the >relatively humid East and bring it to very dry Southern California. Would >there >be any structural problems? Does anyone notice any changes between the more >humid summer and the drier winter in other areas of the country? > >Eric