WoodWorkers Guild of America » General Discussion

1. 

   kermitp
   

   new member
   Joined: Aug '11
   Posts: 2

   Anyone have a website or videos on how to go about getting the most from dried woods?

   In our woodshop we have been lucky enough to have gotten at very reasonable prices really nice dried hardwoods from multiple sources.

   Problem is most of it is either bowed or warped or both. As a relatively new woodworker I am not sure the best way to remove to bowing and warping to get a useable straight edged and flat board.

   I think I am wasting an awful lot of really great wood in the process. Our shop has all the tools needed joiner, planner, router, table saw, miter saw, band saw all commercial grade equipment.

   Problem is we lack really knowledgeable woodworkers.

   Thanks, in advance for any assistaance you can provide.

   Kermit

   # Posted 7 months ago
2. 

   Yonak
   

   member
   Joined: Jul '11
   Posts: 47

   Kermit, I've heard all sorts of ways to straighten out a warped board : put it in the sun .. put it on a concrete floor .. lay it on a flat surface with weights on it, etc., etc. ..But, in my opinion, there's no good way to "unwarp" a dry board. I could stand corrected and would love to hear from an expert who has a reliable method.

   The best resort is to work with the board in the condition it's in and, most certainly, you will be wasting a lot of wood, unless you are keen on making small projects. If the board is cupped, that is, curved looking from the end of the board, but straight along the length, you can rip it into strips, join the edges parallel to each other, and glue it back together, edge to edge, preferably using some kind of anchor. I like to use splines.

   If the board is warped along it's length or twisted, the best thing is to find the longest straightest portion, cut it out, make one surface flat on the jointer (don't press the board down, except to hold it firm, or you will still end up with a warped board), then run it through the planer to get the other surface flat and parallel.

   Unfortunately, there are no good answers except look to make smaller projects and get some straight lumber for your larger projects.

   # Posted 7 months ago
3. 

   Paul Mayer
   

   preferred member
   Joined: Dec '09
   Posts: 116

   I agree with Yonak. For most distortions (cup, twist, bow, crook, etc.) there isn't much you can do. It is either there due to stresses that were present when it was cut, or stress introduced through improper drying. Many causes, few cures. The only time I have had any luck undoing a lumber distortion is when it was caused by uneven exposure to moisture in my shop. One side gets soaked when wiping off wet glue with water, and the panel cups. Then, but wetting the other side, and exposing both sides to air for drying, and applying some weight, I have been able to remove small amounts of cupping. But if it is distorted when I bring it home, I have never seen it straighten.

   If the distortion is minor, it can be machined out. Start with your jointer and get a flat surface on one face. Then put that face down and planer the other face. Then rip a straight edge (might need to do the first edge on a band saw or with a hand held jig saw. Then joint that edge. Then put that edge to your table saw fence and rip the other edge parallel to that one.

   But as Yonak says, if it is distorted badly, cut it into smaller sized pieces before following the above steps on each individual piece. That way you will have to remove a lot less material.

   Good luck!

   Paul http://www.vernswoodgoods.com

   # Posted 7 months ago
4. 

   George Vondriska
   

   preferred member
   Joined: Sep '08
   Posts: 150

   I agree with all. The horse is out of the barn, there's no closing the door now. You've got to back up a couple steps and work on getting material that's been affectively dried so it doesn't have these defects. Warped wood can't be unwarped, no matter how much weight, how much glue, or how many screws you use to fix it in place. Eventually it'll pop again.

   G

   # Posted 7 months ago
5. 

   kermitp
   

   new member
   Joined: Aug '11
   Posts: 2

   Thanks, for the replies. I was afraid that was going to be the case for boards that are already warped or bowed.

   Kermit

   # Posted 7 months ago

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