Old timer at the lumber yard taught me something about wood movement

Guy must have been 70, saw me picking out some cherry boards and just said 'you're gonna have a bad time if you don't let those acclimate for a week first.' He was right, saved me from a warped cabinet door on a job I did last month out in Portland. Any of you guys got tips from someone old school that actually stuck with you?

2 comments

2 Comments

gonzalez.vera1d ago

My grandpa was a carpenter for like 50 years, and he always told me to never trust a board that's been sitting in a truck bed for more than a day. He'd say the wood is holding its breath the whole time, and you gotta give it time to breathe before you cut into it. That whole acclimation thing is real, I've seen too many guys skip it and end up with doors that won't close six months later.

hugo64516h ago

Man I totally get that. I picked up some pine boards from the yard last month and figured I'd just rip them the same afternoon... big mistake. Two of them twisted so bad I had to toss em and start over. Your grandpa knew what he was talking about, that breathing time is no joke.