Red wood slab

Hi everyone

I have some questions. I have bought an eight foot redwood slab from a sawmill it is about 5 inches thick, I would like to make a base and turn it into an outside table. However

I don’t think it’s fully dry!

If I make a base that allows the slab to sit on top, then I won’t have to screw it which would affect the hold of the screws when the wood contracts

if I sand the slab and use a protective oil- then which one? Will the slab continue to dry with oil on it?

i plan to cover the table during rain

ideally I would store the slab, buy a wood moisture gauge and check until I’m happy that it’s at the right moisture level, then build, but it could take a while!

I live near Manchester, I would like to kiln dry the slab if anyone knows of a place that would do this?

i hope someone can advise, thanks

Dan

It will take a very long time to dry normally 1" per year plus 1 year but the problem is that it is a very thick piece and can take a lot longer. If it is still wet/green then the ends ideally would need to be sealed to slow the drying and hopefully prevent it splitting from the end grain.

A moisture meter will only tell you the moisture on the surface or as deep as the probes can penetrate