All,
I have a stock preparation problem. I have recently purchased rough sawn 5/4 walnut and poplar from a very reputable supplier. I very painstakingly flatten one side on the stock either on my joiner or by using a # 7 L-N handplane on the wider than 6″ stock. After flattening the stock I used my thickness planer to bring the stock down to the 7/8” thickness needed by the project. My dilemma is the nicely flatten stock is now no where near straight now. Some of the stock has cupped along the width and bowed along it’s length.
I followed the same technique (on a much smaller scale) with the same species of stock from another supplier and the stock is still straight as an arrow.
WHAT did I do wrong to make this happen?
How can I prevent this from happening?
Help!
Replies
BOB
What was the moisture content of the stock that cupped and bowed. That may answer your question.
Have a good day...
sarge.jt
Sarge,
The dealer assured me that I was purchasing 6 to 8% stock. I unfortunately don't have a meter to verify that figure..
Bob
I never trust anyone but my mother, and I'm suspect of her sometimes. ha..ha.. just kiddin'..
I have two mositure meters and find them invaluable. That way you know. The pin-type Timber-check was $70 if price is an issue. I have a Wagner digital also.
Also, look at your end-grain. Is the stock from the heart (center of the treee). Is it flat sawn or quarter sawn. The very heart is very unstable and will tend to cup, twist and other acrobatic tricks. Flat sawn will have more of a tendecncy to do so than quarter-sawn.
I suggest you purchase Hoadley's book, Understanding Wood. It's worth every penny as it will enlighten you in avoiding some mistakes before you make them.
Hopefully, if this was not your problem, Jon Arno or Neimecek (spelling) or some of the other wood experts will post and shed some light.
Luck...
sarge..jt
Dear Bob; I find two possible reasons for your problem. First, the wood may be from a tree that was learning and it will have more tree cells on the leaning side. These boards will always want to warp. You have no control over this problem. The second problem, you may have remove more wood from the ruff stock on your thickness planer. After the wood is flat on one side run the wood through the planer and remove wood evenly from both sides until you reach the proper thickness. Then sticker your wood till it has dryed. I have ignored this a few times and regreated it. Good luck. Roger.
Roger,
Thanks for you suggestion. Any hope that the stock will regain equilibrium, or is it too late?
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled