Replies

1. 
   TomMGTC | Oct 08, 2002 11:37pm | #1

   Not exactly sure what you are asking in # 2 above. If you have made the lumber flat on each surface by handplaning or jointing, how can you have twist?

   Are you letting you lumber acclimate to your shop before flattening?

1. 
   chanda2791 | Oct 09, 2002 08:01pm | #5

   Tom,

   Thanks for your reply..I have since found out from another woodworker that my understanding of "flat" was in error.  I now realize I need to seriously knock down the edges of the boards that are twisted up (or) down and if I end up with 1/4" thk. stock in the end I'll know to start with heftier lumber next time to allow for twist or cupping in  future.

2. 
   BG | Oct 09, 2002 01:05am | #2

   Chanda,

   When i bring home stock, either rough or s4s, I put sticks inbetween the boards and clamp up with cauls.  you may need to cut your boards to reduce the warp.

1. 
   chanda2791 | Oct 09, 2002 08:02pm | #6

   BG,

   Great ideas..thanks! 

3. 
   booch | Oct 09, 2002 02:04am | #3

   Ick in a word.

   Cut the boards into short pieces and use them for whatever you can. Twisting is generally due to compression wood cut at a peculiar angle. Probably other reasons too but let me tell you I've messed with the pieces that have a twist by hand planeing, running them over the jointer, and cutting them thinner as strips and using it as such. Humidity makes the stuff dance. After I make it 4 square and flat thru tons of effort it looks perfect but by the next humidity change it goes squirley again.

   Read and do what you want, but either use the piece in a non critical location or cut it up in 1 to 2 foot pieces. When the board is short there isn't that much distance that it can move.

   You picked a crappy piece of wood. Generally in a lot of 100 to 200 bd foot you get 2 or 3 pieces that are like that. I deal with it then by cutting it short. If I picked it out of the select stuff, then you ought to keep it and cut it up and use it like above. Returning it is gauche. Althought it would never be said as such at the lumber yard. Use it as operant conditioning to keep yourself focused on not picking out the twisted stuff again. Pavlov would be proud.

   Don't waste your time on this.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/8/2002 7:07:56 PM ET by Booch

1. 
   chanda2791 | Oct 09, 2002 08:13pm | #7

   Booch,

   Your message had me cracking up!  Thank you for being so frank and informative.  I had thought of cutting the boards up into smaller pieces for carving practice and now I think I will.  And yeah, as careful as I try to be, teaching myself the nuances of working with wood leaves much to be desired when I'm alone at the lumber yard overwhelmed by tons of boards from which to choose.  But, I didn't learn anything else I've learned except through trial and error, so ...

   Thanks again.  You have saved me from wasting even more time on an unsolvable problem.

1. 
   booch | Oct 09, 2002 09:07pm | #9

   Laughing is the important part. That and that otherworldly focus on the problem at hand. As for leaving the basement... There are many reasons to do so but none that counterbalance the ability to walk to the shop in your bare feet on a winter morning to review the status of the glueing or whatever.

   I've had 3 projects where I had to take the claw of a hammer to the plaster to get the "ship" out of the bottle of my basement. That and other reasons compel me to find another spot but that comfort rocks my soul.

   The good news is that straight wood doesn't have much reaction to humidity.

   Edited 10/9/2002 2:11:02 PM ET by Booch

1. 
   chanda2791 | Oct 11, 2002 06:47pm | #10

   Everyday I'm learning more and more...thanks again for hte reply and yes IT is a great thing to be able to wander downstairs in the morning to work instead of hitting the highway.  I'm very grateful.

4. 
   noone51 | Oct 09, 2002 05:46am | #4

   Chanda2791, the wood is twisting and cupping because of the way it is drying. When the outer portion of the wood dries faster than the inner portion it tends to put stress accross the board as the fibers begin to shrink. Once the entire board is completely dry the board will begin to flatten again but usually not as flat as it was sawn in the first place.

   Often, we will climatize wood by putting it in a stable environment and letting it dry equally throughout. We also place weights and sticker the wood so as to enhance its ability to dry correctly.

   Unfortunately, once a piece of wood has twisted such as yours has, the only recourse is to get the moisture content back up. Once that has been achieved ,(rarely happens), you can then attempt to properly re-acclimate the lumber.

   Best of Luck.

1. 
   chanda2791 | Oct 09, 2002 08:19pm | #8

   no one,

   Thanks for the info...I'm thinking about moving my shop out of my basement to help alleviate the humidity issue.