Replies

1. 
   ring | Apr 11, 2005 05:39pm | #1

   Adastra hi,

   Without getting into any tall tales, try beech.

   If you want to have a serious look at the subject, see R. Bruce Hoadley's classic book "Understanding Wood".  He has shrinkage charts for all major species as well as plans for a home-made moisture meter if I recall correctly.

   DR

2. 
   JohnWW | Apr 11, 2005 05:48pm | #2

   Beech and hickory have the largest expansion rates, any of the oaks or hard maple also show large movements, but not quite as much as the first two.  With any wood, flatsawn will expand considerably more than radial sawn.

   John W.

3. 
   mvac | Apr 11, 2005 08:21pm | #3

   Since I was just reading up on this a couple of days ago, there are a few things to consider that would affect wood movement besides the species and changes in humidity:

   1. Narrower boards move less than wider ones;
   2. Quartersawn moves less than flatsawn - as an example, Beech will normally move about 1/4" per foot, but quartersawn Beech will move half as much;
   3. Kiln-dried wood tends to move less than air-dried, unless you have it stickered for several months.

   Just some thoughts...

   Mitch

   "I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."

4. 
   WillGeorge | Apr 12, 2005 08:07pm | #4

   What wood moves most..

   The one you did not plan for in advance!  LOL...

5. 
   PlaneWood | Apr 13, 2005 05:04am | #5

   Use a hair from a horses tail.  I'm not kidding here either.  They stretch and shrink quite a bit with humidity.  Fix one end and tie the other end to a dial pointer made of wood.  Use a piece about 18" long.  Calibrate using the local weather channels.

   Or, get two alike bulb thermometers.  Tie a small cloth around the bulb of one.  When you want to take a reading, wet the cloth with water and wait till the temperature measured with that one stablizes.  Then get a wet bulb / dry bulb chart to convert the temp difference to relative humidity.

   I never worry about it cause every day in Houston is over 90 percent and you learn how to compensate in your designs.  It must work, cause lots of furniture has been made in costal cities.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood