How to prevent your thin woods from warping and cupping.

[dgman]

I just received a shipment of 1/4” hardwood boards from Ochooch Hardwoods. It came nicely wrapped in plastic wrap. I know from experience that these boards will warp and cup due to the climate chance from Wisconsin to California. To prevent this, I stack the boards with “stickers” in between each board to allow air circulation around each board. Then weigh it down with a scrap piece of Baltic Birch plywood and bricks. It is common to let them sit for a few days to let them acclimate to the climate in my shop. Another thing you can do is lean the boards against a wall to allow air circulation around the boards. The last thing you want to do is unwrap the boards and leave them laying flat on a bench. That will guarantee the boards will warp!

Edited June 29, 2019 by dgman

[meflick]

Thanks for sharing.

[OCtoolguy]

27 minutes ago, dgman said:

I just received a shipment of 1/4” hardwood boards from Ochooch Hardwoods. It came nicely wrapped in plastic wrap. I know from experience that these boards will warp and cup due to the climate chance from Wisconsin to California. To prevent this, I stack the boards with “stickers” in between each board to allow air circulation around each board. Then weigh it down with a scrap piece of Baltic Birch plywood and bricks. It is common to let them sit for a few days to let them acclimate to the climate in my shop. Another thing you can do is lean the boards against a wall to allow air circulation around the boards. The last thing you want to do is unwrap the boards and leave them laying flat on a bench. That will guarantee the boards will warp!

Dan, that is exactly what I want to do from now on. My problem is space. I will have to leave them stickered outdoors. No room in my shop and we don't have a garage. I will have to cut some stickers slats like you have done. Great idea. I did have some luck recently with two pieces of red oak that had cupped on me. I laid them on my bench with the cup side up and sprayed them with a pretty good bit of water and let it soak in. Then, I put them with the opposing cupped sides facing each other and clamped them to my work bench. I let them sit that way for a couple of days and they came out flat and dry. I stood them upright in a corner and hope they don't return to being cupped again. So far, so good.

 

[teachnlearn]

36 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

Dan, that is exactly what I want to do from now on. My problem is space. I will have to leave them stickered outdoors. No room in my shop and we don't have a garage. I will have to cut some stickers slats like you have done. Great idea. I did have some luck recently with two pieces of red oak that had cupped on me. I laid them on my bench with the cup side up and sprayed them with a pretty good bit of water and let it soak in. Then, I put them with the opposing cupped sides facing each other and clamped them to my work bench. I let them sit that way for a couple of days and they came out flat and dry. I stood them upright in a corner and hope they don't return to being cupped again. So far, so good.

 

Stack them like he does inside your place and put a piece of wood on it, instant side table till you use them. RJF

Edited June 29, 2019 by teachnlearn

[Scrappile]

I've done that many times but still have them cup once I un-stack and start to use them.  It is kinda hit and miss for me.  I bought thin cherry from Cherokee and have had no problem, so far with it warping or cupping... I will try them again next time I need special wood and see it I just got luck or is their wood cured better or something... I have the most problem with red oak.

[teachnlearn]

Its a pure moisture problem. With them cut thinner and absorbing moisture they are going to warp fast. RJF

[Scrappile]

I live in the desert!

[Dave Monk]

I have planed a 3/4" board down to 3/8" all on one side because I liked the way one side looked better than the other. It warped immediately.  I'm wondering if it had to do with some kind of stress in the board.

[dgman]

12 minutes ago, Dave Monk said:

I have planed a 3/4" board down to 3/8" all on one side because I liked the way one side looked better than the other. It warped immediately.  I'm wondering if it had to do with some kind of stress in the board.

Dave, when planing wood it is important to plane equal amounts on both sides to allow for equal moisture absorption. Then stack and sticker or lean against a wall so air can circulate equally around the board. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

4 minutes ago, dgman said:

Dave, when planing wood it is important to plane equal amounts on both sides to allow for equal moisture absorption. Then stack and sticker or lean against a wall so air can circulate equally around the board. 

I agree with Dan that it is important to plane equal amounts off each side and to rotate when planing. I do not agree with the standing against a wall thin woods. They will warp faster that way. Stickering does help but some woods are just going to warp no matter what and you need to plan for this in your project. How a tree is harvested tells alot about the internal stress in the wood and what conditions it grew in. Good luck.

[oldhudson]

14 hours ago, teachnlearn said:

Stack them like he does inside your place and put a piece of wood on it, instant side table till you use them. RJF

I think this is a reasonable idea. Put it in the living room and give it a top and it's a coffee table. Years ago I made all new cases and fronts for our kitchen.  I used the family room for over two years to stage material, applying finish and assembly.

[teachnlearn]

2 hours ago, dgman said:

Dave, when planing wood it is important to plane equal amounts on both sides to allow for equal moisture absorption. Then stack and sticker or lean against a wall so air can circulate equally around the board. 

I learned to plan wood by alternating sides. Never considered the whys. RJF

[teachnlearn]

13 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

I agree with Dan that it is important to plane equal amounts off each side and to rotate when planing. I do not agree with the standing against a wall thin woods. They will warp faster that way. Stickering does help but some woods are just going to warp no matter what and you need to plan for this in your project. How a tree is harvested tells alot about the internal stress in the wood and what conditions it grew in. Good luck.

Is this how warped minds work? RJF

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

1 hour ago, teachnlearn said:

Is this how warped minds work? RJF

I guess so.