What to Avoid When Picking Lumber for Your Woodworking Project

We talked about saving money buying lumber from a distributor, but here’s what to look for when buying individual pieces of wood.http://ift.tt/1IKlpjT...

Starting any woodworking project requires good wood. Knots, twists, and other damage to lumber will mess up your project before you even get started.

Get picky when buying wood (no matter what the grade) and don’t just settle for what’s on top. Inspect boards looking from one end to the other and note any warping, twisting, or splits. Pass on those that aren’t straight. Then look for knots or other irregularities along the wood itself. Damage from rough handling can also render lumber unusable.

When inspecting plywood, again check for warping or bowing due to uneven weight distribution. Bent wood won’t saw properly so avoid it.

A good rule of thumb is to not buy the last bit of wood from any pile.

If your home center doesn’t have any reliable stock, move along and check another store until you find what you need.

How to Pick Materials for a Workbench | This Old House

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