<HTML>In a message dated 1/24/2002 2:00:43 PM Pacific Standard Time, mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Terry writes For spruce that has been kept in a climate controlled shop (70 to 80 degrees and 40 to 55% RH), i.e. not stored outside in the rain, when gluing on ribs, etc. when you have your panel in the heated box to get its moisture content down to 6% or so, how long do you commonly need to keep it there for it to reach equilibrium - so that you can be sure it is at the desired MC? (Boy, that was a mouthful!) >>>>>>>>>Terry      Given the specifis as you outlined them above I would consider  a minumun of  48 hrs or so. It also depends on how high the temperature is in the hot box.  If  it was sitting outside in the rain the answer is along time. If it was sitting around in ambient 70% R.H. I would give it at least three 24 days at reasonable heat& R.H. level to reach the desired E.M.C.  .Whats the hurry. Just be sure.    Wood takes on moisture 7 times faster than it realeases it due to cell structure.           >>>>>>>>>>> Dale Erwin</BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>