[SandyT]

Does acclimation of wood take 2 weeks regardless of where you purchase., i.e., an indoor supply store like Lowes or Home Depot compared to an outdoor building supply like Carter Lumber? Or..........could I bring wood home from an indoor store and get right to work?
Sandy

 

[bobj3]

Hi Sandy

Just my 2 cents.
I Have found out
The quicker you use the stock the better off you are .
That's to say if it's dry when you get it.
Most lumber yards have it in stacks and it's flat,so to speak but once you take it out of the stack it wants to cup or bow unless you clamp it up or stack it like it was at the lumber yard with 200 or 300 lbs. on top of it.

Most of the Home Depots and Lowes have the good lumber in a bin rack some have it in a stacks the same way as a lumber yards, but it's inside and dry....I got some redwood last week from Home Depot that was true and the next day I could use it to make a bow and arrow set.
I guess it comes down to use it or lose it for me.
I do have a wood bin rack in my shop that I use for hardwoods and use it for the over buys of stock and I use the sticks between the stock to help keep it flat and dry and put my junk lumber on top like 2 x 4s and alike that helps but it always ticks me off when I pull out a 3/4"" x 12" wide x 8ft long oak board that I milled down to be true and find it out it's of shape when I go and use it in a week or so.

Have a good weekend.
Bj

 

[SandyT]

Bj
That is great news to hear! I've always dreaded waiting 2 weeks to start a project.
I started wondering why I waited so long if I'm taking it from the inside of one building to another, so I thought I'd ask the experts here.
Thanks!
Sandy

 

[Mike]

Sandy, for future reference both Rockler and Woodcraft run specials each month on a different type of wood. I watch the sales and purchase what I can for a good price and set it aside. Next time the sale rolls around I pick up more and this allows me to build a nice stock for a reasonable price.

 

[SandyT]

Mike,
I frequently order from Rockler and I get their catalogs and newsletters, but somehow I must be missing the sales on wood every month. I would love to order some different woods from them. Please tell me where I can find what wood is on sale every month. I usually do go to the Rockler website and look at bits and clamps most of the time, that is probably how I'm missing the sales. Woodcraft, however does have a store that it would only take me around an hour and a half to get there, so please tell me how to find out what wood they have on sale also, and thank you in advance.

 

[Gilbear]

Sorry Bob, Love ya man!, but I gotta disagree with that - Are we talkin plywood or hardwood here? Plywood I agree, but that's a different scenario - warpage - not joints failing.

My suggestion is to, if possible, store the wood where it's gonna ultimately end up in every day usage for at least 5 days (and there's no hard and fast rules here unless you have a moisture meter - I do not) - The WHOLE issue here is "If it's dry when you got it" - How do you know that? - are you using a meter? I'ts not always possible to store it in the final location - I know that - but at least in a similar environment (I've had some wood under a couch in my family room for a couple weeks now - the Supreme Being isn't too pleased, but I'm hoping she'll like the tables when they're finished) - If you're in a rush, then you're in the wrong passtime (or obsession). Especially if we're talking big box outlets here, haven't you seen the pallets of wood sitting out under the contractors awning while it's pouring cats and dogs?

Might not matter too much depending on the size and complexity of the grain orientation, but if I'm putting panels together that are larger than, lets say 15", I'm gonna wait - but you know what? I'm so skill defecient and it takes me so long to do even the simple tasks like panel joining, that I'm gonna give myself every opportunity for success I can get!!

OK, I know I went off east on that, but I HAVE had a few fail, and it ain't pretty!

OK Guys, hit me in the head with those Walnut 2x6's!

 

[Hamlin]

If you purchase wood an intend to wait before beginning a project, make sure that you lay all the lumber flat. I can't really suggest to keep it covered or not, unless it's stored outside. The reason being is, you have humidity rather indoors or out, this is where wood will draw it's moisture from. I've seen some people use it right away while others wait. I have to say that it's a personal preference. Not sure that there is a right or wrong answer to this.

Ken

 

[bobj3]

Hi Gilbear
I find plywood to be very stable unless it get's wet or damp they forget it.
I use alot of plywood for casework and hardwood for the face frames and the sides with panel inserts.
Most of the face frames are 2" to 3" wide and the glued up panels are 6" to 12" wide, they are one ones that give me fits, it's the glue that drives me nuts because it takes 2 weeks or more to dry out total just like a biscuit inserts ,moisture from the glue works out from the joint and I do use moisture meter, most of the time.

The woodworking channel had a small item on biscuit inserts that was real good he used his moisture meter and you could see that the biscuit would expand the wood and when you did the final sand it was done to the 220 grit, but into 2 weeks you now have a low spot that was the same size as the biscuit and would show up in the furniture....
The same thing on glue up joints....
Most of the glues I use are water base type for inside cabinets and I use the tiebond type for out side furniture.

So I found out if I use the wood as soon as I get it from the lumber yard (HomeDepot) it works best for me.
Cut it up and put it to work and the frame and case help hold it sq. unless it real bad from the get go.
Then they become short stock for the rails and stiles on the doors and to cover the plywood ends plus drawer guides ,inside case work,etc.

But I also drive a 1980 F250 4 x 4 Ford pickup hahahahahaha that I got in 1980 and now has 156,000 miles on it and still running strong but it could be more because the speed O meter has not worked for 15 years or so hahahahahaha but I don't need that dam thing anyway I drive slow most of the time my last ticket was in 1998 for going 35 in 25 speed zone, you don't forget the tickets... hahahaha .
Now when I get into my cherry red 1984 Vet. I do have a hvy.foot now and then.. hahahaha.

Have a good weekend bud

Bj

I guess it comes down to what works best for you and me.

 

[Mike]

I can lay one concern to rest. Those pallets of lumber that sit outside places like HD or Lowe's are all whitewood or construction grade pine. The hardwoods are delivered by a vendor who also maintains the inventory. Any dimensioned hardwood you buy has been kiln dried before sizing and should be safe to use provided there is not a radical change from the store to your shop. Rough sawn lumber is a different story.
Sandy I know my local Rockler store does wood specials every month. It may not be true chain wide. I know I saw an add for a reduced price in one of the recent mailers. To sign up for Woodcrafts emails visit woodcraft.com

 

[bobj3]

Gilbear

Just for kicks here's a snapshot of my Old 1980 Ford Pick Up



Bj

 

[SandyT]

Ok, thanks for the input everyone.
Sandy