STOP Wood Warping BEFORE and AFTER Building! Woodworking Tips and Tricks

STOP Wood Warping BEFORE and AFTER Building! Woodworking Tips and Tricks

Big box store wood is notorious for warping and twisting after you get it home. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought a straight board only to have it warp on me by the next day. Let me share with you some woodworking tips and tricks to prevent wood from bending and twisting. Amazon and other affiliate links are used in this description and they help support this channel.

*Videos To Watch Next*
Where to Buy Wood: https://youtu.be/qtB-yIQ3b6U
How to Attach a Table Top: https://youtu.be/rOiPPhIkRbo

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Moisture Meter: https://amzn.to/3r2YvVr
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Large Dehumidifier: https://amzn.to/3G3uNEd

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0:00 Sweet Looking Lumber
0:41 Selecting the Right Wood
1:37 I Like Big Knots
2:37 Let Wood Acclimate
2:58 How to Stack Wood for Woodworking
3:51 Use Cauls to Prevent Warping
4:26 Staining Wood Prevents Warping
5:18 Get a Dehumidifier for Wood Moisture
6:01 How to Select Plywood to Avoid Warping
6:44 Table Top Warped? What Happened?
7:54 Outtakes / Bloopers

50 Comments

  1. Joshua Smith on November 20, 2023 at 10:36 pm

    I bought some 2x6s and 2x4s to make a pallet style bed and I let them dry inside for a few weeks and holy smokes did they twist. Did a good job picking out the best boards when I bought them. So would I have been better off just building right after I got them? I’m thinking maybe the screws would have prevented the wood from twisting so bad.

  2. Laura Harvey on November 20, 2023 at 10:38 pm

    Is there a link how to unwrap the wrap 2×4? I have lot of them. I want to use them.

  3. Design Creations on November 20, 2023 at 10:39 pm

    Clamping panels beteeen cauls keeps it flat and allows even airflow. Buying lumber from a hardwood lumber mill is kiln dried to much lower moisture content. Storing boards in a rack or on end allows more even airflow and warping is less of an issue.

  4. MrCarter'sRods on November 20, 2023 at 10:39 pm

    I’m on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, and my shop is open to the elements, so stacking and weighting is darn near worthless when 99% humidity is not exactly uncommon.

    I’m wanting to make a small woodshop (10×20 but I’m 6’7" 330lbs, so small by comparison lol) but a certain sect of __aliens__ running the City (Clearwater Florida) make permitting for such a task, impossible. Plus having 1 functioning arm/leg makes my ability to build a workshop myself, impossible.

    I tried looking into a large storage shed at 10×20, but people keep trying to rip me off. Just got a quote in December for $23,000 for a 10×20 bare bones prefab with no insulation, or electric and I’d still have to level the ground or pour a slab. … I’m crippled, not stupid lol.

    So I just scream a lot. Cry a bunch. But I keep trying. It’s better than being bound to that bed I was in for 6 years.

    My advice is to buy $$$ lumber that is kiln dried, and when I get it, I wrap it up in plastic wrap piece by piece and put silica gel packs with each piece. For heavier lumber, I just sand the tar-outta-it!

  5. A. Ced. on November 20, 2023 at 10:43 pm

    I like big nots and I can not lie and it’s gonna move and I can’t lie🤣🤣🤣

  6. Jacob Kuehn on November 20, 2023 at 10:43 pm

    Where do you get your t-shirts?! Love them!!! Bless you brother!

  7. d.k. on November 20, 2023 at 10:43 pm

    Nice

  8. Holland Custom Woodworking on November 20, 2023 at 10:44 pm

    Lmao the way Amy looked at you is the same way my wife looks at me when she feels as tho I’m being an idiot 😂😂😂

  9. Josh Bonney on November 20, 2023 at 10:45 pm

    "We need therapy" – that earned a like from me

  10. J Leman on November 20, 2023 at 10:45 pm

    Great stuff and a the end you two are funny!

  11. Jake Butcher on November 20, 2023 at 10:46 pm

    I saw you got new clamps on your short vid. Can you do a video on all the best clamps for the best value in your opinion? And all the clamps you have in your garage and your favorite go to’s. I think that would make a great video.

  12. 731 Woodworks on November 20, 2023 at 10:46 pm

    Watch This BEFORE Buying Hardwood: https://youtu.be/EsMhiGBho0s

  13. LunchboxX_Gaming on November 20, 2023 at 10:49 pm

    Thanks for the helpful information. Im new to the channel and have been looking into building different projects for my wife and I but im having issues finding decent lumber. Any tips for using pressure treated lumber outside of lowering the moisture content?

  14. Justin Williams on November 20, 2023 at 10:50 pm

    The end got me to subscribe!!!

  15. Larry Tasillo on November 20, 2023 at 10:50 pm

    Nice shirts 🙂

  16. Austeration on November 20, 2023 at 10:51 pm

    Very cool video 👍well done

  17. Bart O'Sullivan on November 20, 2023 at 10:51 pm

    I’m about to build an outdoor storage bench top from some 5/4 x 25" w x 12′ perfectly Eastern White Pine flat boards that have been in dry storage for 9 years. Boards are emc 12% . Finished lids to be two heavy 4/4 x 17.5"w x 76". Would you recommend numerous coàts of marine spar varnish? I’ve also toyed with the idea of attaching Ipe to the bottom side to help keep stable. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

  18. Lou on November 20, 2023 at 10:52 pm

    How long do you keep the bricks on your lumber? Thank you

  19. Emptypockets51 on November 20, 2023 at 10:53 pm

    Great instruction.

  20. Jeff James on November 20, 2023 at 10:53 pm

    Hey Matt, do you have the plans for the cross bench that is near the end of the this video. Thank you sir!

  21. Marvin Bozarth on November 20, 2023 at 10:56 pm

    need the lyics

  22. Better by Biega on November 20, 2023 at 10:57 pm

    Love these tips. I had to wait a bit to finish a large table top. Kept a weighted piece of plywood on top and the table stayed flat. Great video!

  23. 10:16 experience on November 20, 2023 at 10:57 pm

    Hey bud thanks for the video I am one of those beginner woodworkers and have been doing some endgrain glue ups. Resulting in the smiley face when dry . I noticed your culls were vertical on the width of the boards I will try that next

  24. Cliff Clavin on November 20, 2023 at 10:57 pm

    One of the biggest reasons that boards change shape is due to the speed in which it dries out. Rapid drying will cause parts of the board to have more moisture and the drier areas will contract. The osmotic shift in fluid is controlled in a kiln so that it doesn’t dry too fast or too slow. The board needs to be stress free or cracking, checking, splits will occur. Stacking lumber will reduce drying of the inner boards which is the reason they put stickers between boards so the drying process is more homogenous rather than outside of the board doing out too fast. I use tow straps for banding my wood and keep it in the shade outside. This is all dependent on the location of the wood being stored. High humidity areas will dry a lot slower than low humidity areas. The whole idea is to get boards to reach equilibrium with the local environment. If a board is too dry in a humid environment moist will move inside the board through the osmotic process. A simple rule of thumb is dry wood shrinks and wet boards expand. I have two shops, one in a mid moisture area for my primary home and one in a low moisture area at my vacation home. I have to treat my boards differently depending on which location I am at.

  25. ACCIDENTAL PAGE MADE on November 20, 2023 at 10:59 pm

    Good video I work at a cabinet shop and have been doing carpenter work for over twenty five years I’ve always had problems with oak warping after gluing and running through dum sander. Clay from mobile Alabama

  26. Smokin EE's Pitmaster Tips on November 20, 2023 at 11:00 pm

    Thanks for your great videos. I have almost unlimited access to construction grade lumber. Mostly 2×4 2×6 2×8 sometimes 1×4 1×6. Wife works for a new home builder. Most has nail holes and what not. I would say I’m intermediate level and have most tools except planer and table saw is in storage. What would you build to try to sell?

  27. Denton Jordan on November 20, 2023 at 11:02 pm

    😂 I like big knots and I cannot lie 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

  28. Jeremy Head on November 20, 2023 at 11:04 pm

    You both are amazing.. lol. Nice rap. 👊

  29. Andy on November 20, 2023 at 11:06 pm

    I actually tested this by clamping pieces together for a couple of weeks and leaving some Un clamped, the clamped ones remained straight and the other ones warped

  30. Paul Yang on November 20, 2023 at 11:07 pm

    For pine, what is the moisture percentage recommendstion before you can use it? I live in CA so the humidity is not very bad here.

    Thanks!

  31. MacKenzie Mill on November 20, 2023 at 11:07 pm

    Congrats, 250,000 subs bammmmm Great info Matt but Amy took the rapping to another level lol

  32. WestSideSlide on November 20, 2023 at 11:09 pm

    can’t go wrong with the tuba fours and tuba sixes hahaha love it

  33. D B on November 20, 2023 at 11:10 pm

    I work with luan for art “paint poring .. and I need to flatten it.., I am going to “water board it” 😂 . Then weight it down . After this process is finished and it is flat. Is there a way to seal it the luan before painting? And the finished product will be resin. Well that also hold it from warping

  34. Crystal Sanchez on November 20, 2023 at 11:11 pm

    I really enjoy ur video especially yals mixalot it was very informative for a beginner like me..Thank you !

  35. Jhirn on November 20, 2023 at 11:11 pm

    Y’all are hilarious. Gonna call you Sir Cuts-a-Lot.

    Have you ever dried a piece in the oven? I’m making a straight edge router jig and decided to use a 2×10 piece of scrap pine. I milled it down to 3/4, could go shallower but then remembered it was out in the rain. Checked the moisture and it was at 80%, so gonna try oven drying it at 175-200 for a couple hours as it’s just an experiment with scrap for a jig.

  36. fp on November 20, 2023 at 11:14 pm

    Tuba fours n tuba sixes.

  37. Dreylor25 on November 20, 2023 at 11:15 pm

    I built a barn door 84"x50" painted it , hung it , and right away it twisted on me and I don’t know what to do now .

  38. Lisa on November 20, 2023 at 11:15 pm

    I’m hoping you can help me. I bought a beech wood table top online, stained and matte oiled. The seller showed the top at 45 x 24 with metal plates (or battens) about 5 inches in underneath on both ends and one metal batten in the center. My top arrived with only 2 battens instead of 3, with each on the ends. The underside of the table top has a rough area that’s uneven, I don’t know the proper term and there are some cracks coming from it but only on the underside.
    I’m wondering if I should be concerned and return it?
    It won’t be easy for me to do that, but I don’t want to see anything happen to this tabletop after I go through the effort of attaching legs.

  39. The Bearded Man-Drenaline on November 20, 2023 at 11:19 pm

    Throughly enjoyed the outtakes 🤣

  40. Guy Clark on November 20, 2023 at 11:20 pm

    Thank u so much brother. Big help

  41. Jesse Hernandez on November 20, 2023 at 11:21 pm

    How’d you fix cupped boards? I just built a stove top cover for a friend left in my kitchen over night with my kerosene heater running 🤦🏽‍♂️

  42. Diego Zimmerman on November 20, 2023 at 11:23 pm

    THANK YOU. And she definitely has skills!!!!

  43. d.k. on November 20, 2023 at 11:24 pm

    Wood does what it likes when it likes….not unlike my ex

  44. Steven Fernandez on November 20, 2023 at 11:25 pm

    sawstop will go off on wood above 12%. be careful.

  45. Jesus Guzman on November 20, 2023 at 11:27 pm

    Thanks! I used yellawood to build my pergola and even after letting it dry to "golden " color, the large planks warped horrible. I will gradually replace them with solid non treated oak wood and see if it does better.

  46. Athair on November 20, 2023 at 11:28 pm

    Came here just to see if anyone mentioned the handcuffs. Odd placement lol

  47. Terry Mason on November 20, 2023 at 11:29 pm

    Excuse me sir, did you say "Tuba six"? Warping is always frustrating.

  48. Gilbert Marquez on November 20, 2023 at 11:31 pm

    Nice!

  49. Harry Vanderploeg on November 20, 2023 at 11:31 pm

    Fortunately I don’t have to use that type of lumber but if I did I would sticker stack the lumber along with the weights, that way the moisture would be pulled out somewhat evenly. Don’t you think?

  50. BillinFallon on November 20, 2023 at 11:34 pm

    This one is AWESOME ! You two know how to make an old man laugh 😂. Prayers for you both…

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