Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello to all -- I was wondering about humidity. I live in Chicago and I've been wondering how necessary a dehumidifier is and if anyone has any name brand recomendations. I'm working on the 2nd floor of a 2-flat in a 2 bedroom apartment. I work in one of the bedrooms with a window -- today the humidity in that room is at 50% -- it's been hovering between that and 45%, sometimes it gets down to 40%. Which is fine, from what I've heard and read and the guy who's showing me the ropes. It's one of those old-style needle hygrometers. I'm mostly worried about summer coming. What do you think? Any advice? How do you regulate your shops or workspaces? Thanks for any help. Ben

You should have no problem between 40% and 50% If you allow the wood to acclimate. However if on a day you glue it is 80% and you take it to area that is 30% you could have joint failure. Always let your wood acclimate to your shop prior to working the wood. I live in a High desert environment. My average RH is 40% almost year round so I have not had to worry much.
However this year we have had high humidity in the fall and winter and it has set me back 2 or three months from where I wanted to be. If you sell your work, especially out side of the area you live in then it is very important to control you work environment. less so if you build for your self and the instrument stays in the same environment it was built in. Sudden large changes is always a big issue.

Tell me about it....I just issued a refund on some wood that did not at all like where it went. Sometimes this wood vending business can make you feel as if you spend all of your time babysitting wood and waiting for the next hole to spring a leak ....can I get a witness!!!