By Gene Nellis
How To Select Wood For Your Home Projects
The purpose of selecting your wood is so you end up with a good final product. While all wood typically has flaws, you want to select wood that is reasonably fault free.
Faults and Flaws to avoid include:
1) Twist – Do not use twisted lumber. It will always result in a twisted final piece. Check for twist by laying the piece of wood on a level (horizontal) surface. Use a short level (often called a torpedo level) to determine twist. Check both ends of the board; if the level reads the same on both ends, the piece is not twisted. If the piece is highly twisted, you can see this by looking along the length of the board.
2) Moisture – All wood contains moisture, even after being “dried”. Be sure your wood has a stable moisture content. Standard grade lumber is typically high in moisture and other flaws. You can dry your wood by stacking it with air spaces between all surfaces. Laths are used for this purpose. Be sure that air can get to the bottom of the stack. Typically, I stack my bunk of wood on 4″x4″‘s, and then use lath between every layer, also leaving 1/2″ open space between boards.
Stack your wood in a dry area, out of the sun, and give it plenty of time to dry. You can buy a moisture meter to read the moisture content (not necessary) 5% to 10% is dry. 1″ Thick wood will dry in 1 to 3 months, while 2″ thick wood takes 2 to 6 months. If you buy a premium grade wood, it will be at least partially dry. Have your supplier check the moisture content.
As wood dries, wood faults show up, so a board that looks good may completely become worthless as it dries.
Crown: Crown is a fault that can easily be seen by looking down the edge of the board or by laying a straight edge or string line along the board. This fault can be removed by planeing or saw the crown out, but of course, you loose a portion of the board. When working hardwoods, removing crown is just part of the process.
Bow: Bow is a fault that is easily seen. Lay the board on a flat surface; if bowed, it will rock. Bow is usually removed with little difficulty if you have points of attachment; however; avoid boards that are obviously bowed.
Cup: Cup is a fault where the edges of the board curl up. Mildly cupped boards will usually pull down when anchored to another piece of wood. Push down on the outer edges of the board. If you can easily push the board flat (into a plane), you can use the board. If you use a board that has too much cup, it will split in the middle as you pull the cup out.
Shake: Shake is a fault that occurs in the wood as the tree grows. It indicates that the tree is growing under stress and typically the heart area splits open. Shake usually results in twist and should be avoided.
Rot: Rotten wood is discolored and soft. You may use the good portion of a rotten board, otherwise avoid rot.
Loose/Missing Knot: Loose knots can be glued back in and missing knot areas can be filled. I like to use a limb the size of the knot hole and transplant a slice into the board. Of course, this process requires time so judge accordingly.
Summary
1) Be fussy about the wood you chose. Your final product will be no better than the materials you start with.
2) If the lumber company won’t let you sort through the wood, find one that will. You can usually get around their policy by being nice to the yard man. A little B.S. goes a long way.
3) Don’t rush your wood. A home environment is dry and your wood needs to be stable in the environment it’s going to live in.
4) The extra care you take at the start of the project will insure a good finish.
5) Always buy more wood than you are actually going to use. 20% extra is a minimum. Leftovers can be used for something else, and you may not be able to match the wood you started with when you go back for more.
If you have specific questions, just contact us and we will try to help you.
Gene Nellis
Greater Yellowstone Furniture and Designs
Rustic barnwood furniture and rustic log furniture designed and built by Gene Nellis of Greater Yellowstone Furniture and Designs. This rustic barnwood furniture and log furniture will look great in your home, cabin, or lodge!
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