<HTML>In a message dated 8/21/2003 = 3:56:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time, mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT= : 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj: Re: What are the "safe" parameters for shop humidi= ty? Date: 8/21/2003 3:56:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time From: <A HREF="mailto:mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com">mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com<= /A> Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>= To: <A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet               In Calif heartland we r= arely have these troubles. No brag just fact?? </BLOCKQUOTE>    &nbs= p;  Dale= <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT= : 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> IMHO, good humidity control is critical. I would say that anything between 4= 0% and 50% would be excellent and constant RH is perhaps more critical than = any particular level. At 60,000 sq ft., I'm sure you can run down to Sears a= nd pick up a suitable dehumidifier for about $435,000. OR, you may wish to c= onsider partitioning off a unit in the 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft. range (or whate= ver size you need) and go for the $150 variety humidity control device! I wo= uldn't take much to partition off - a bunch of 2x4s (or maybe even smaller?)= and plastic or foil-backed foam insulation and you'd be good to go. I keep my shop right between about 45% and 48% RH (little Sears basement-typ= e dehumidifier in 950 sq. ft. shop) and keep at least a six-month to year su= pply of wood (maple, spruce, etc. - actually I likely have several years wor= th of most wood). It is a very comfortable feeling to know that all the wood= that I put into pianos is going to be very stable and I don't have to worry= about dimensional changes, warping, etc. Terry Farrell </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>