Since I don’t have the kiln dried 4×4 material for the legs of my FWW workbench project, my rails have been sitting, stacked neatly, stickered even behind the bandsaw waiting to be assembled.
Well doing some obligatory shop cleanup this evening as I was getting ready to make some cuts for another project something odd caught my eye…
The neatly stickered stack that was there last night had fallen to a disogranized pile. But why?
I go to the pile, and try to stack & sticker them again, but notice that nearly every single piece has twisted, and is weeping pitch, and a LOT of it.
Now I have a stack of 2×4s that have been in my garage for 6 or 7 years, that I know are straight and twist free. All southern yellow pine, stuff I bought as simply stud grade stuff for a far from fine skills project ages ago.
I guess I should have gone with my first instinct and use the stuff I had on hand, but noooo. I wanted to use that “Select kiln dried” lumber from the big blue box store…
So back to the drawing board as it were. The ancient 2×4 stock is going to hit the saw then the router tomorrow.
I guess we all live and learn. Old stock that has proven stability in storage in the shop is FAR superior to allegedly stable stock recently out of the vendor. Particularly when the vendor is one of the big box stores…
-- Trying to follow the example of the master.
4 comments so far
PurpLev
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2745 posts in 542 days
posted 120 days ago
ouch!
that is interesting though, never had any problem with KD 4×4 from the BORG, although I did take the time to find the straightest pieces. I did however get some oozing pitch after I milled them ( I milled them down a bit to clean them up, and square them for joinery work).
2×4 laminated would give you good results as well, just make sure you flatten them properly. also if you notice that the faces are pitchy after you flatten them, try using some alcohol to “dry” clean them up right before you put the glue on it, should give the glue better penetration into the wood without being affected by the pitch.
-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
Julian
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691 posts in 419 days
posted 120 days ago
The problem was probably the mc of the wood wasn’t nearly what is should have been.
-- Julian, Park Forest, IL
dbhost
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608 posts in 126 days
posted 120 days ago
The KD stuff I was working with was from the Blue Box, and it was their “Select Kiln Dried Clear” Southern Yellow Pine 2×4s. Honestly, I have never had a problem with warping or twisting with BORG construction grade stuff not dried…
Might have something to do with how humid it has been this summer… Too many days over 100 deg F, and 70+ % RH… I need to hurry up and get a fully dedicated and climate controlled shop up soon… This garage thing with the radically varied heat and humidity is killing my lumber.
-- Trying to follow the example of the master.
Jon3
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439 posts in 999 days
posted 119 days ago
You should assume your borg lumber just came out of a river. That is the only way to avoid surprises with it!