How do I straighten a warped piece of wood?
#1
06-02-08, 06:09 AM
How do I straighten a warped piece of wood?
Hi,
I have a little problem, with my son. It seems his wife went and bought a really nice USED entertainment center. One small problem the doors were not attached. After getting them home I started looking and the doors are hinged to a board about the size of a 2x4 with one side rounded and is about 4 feet long. This board has hinges on two sides so one set lets it open part of the way and when both sets of hinges are used the doors swing flat with the sides. Anyway the board with the two hinge sets on it has a really bad warp and so the doors do not work with out breaking the side it is attached to. Now the wood is already finished with a stain on part of it and paint on the other part. My question is is there anyway to get the warp out of this board.
Hilo55
I have a little problem, with my son. It seems his wife went and bought a really nice USED entertainment center. One small problem the doors were not attached. After getting them home I started looking and the doors are hinged to a board about the size of a 2x4 with one side rounded and is about 4 feet long. This board has hinges on two sides so one set lets it open part of the way and when both sets of hinges are used the doors swing flat with the sides. Anyway the board with the two hinge sets on it has a really bad warp and so the doors do not work with out breaking the side it is attached to. Now the wood is already finished with a stain on part of it and paint on the other part. My question is is there anyway to get the warp out of this board.
Hilo55
#2
06-02-08, 07:46 AM
Super Moderator
Maybe someone has found a method, but I don't think it's possible. It would be best to replace the warped piece.
#3
06-02-08, 09:29 AM
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Shady is right - it would be best to replace the warped piece with new wood.
Having said that - some warped wood can be straightened.
Wood warps when one side (or edge) of a board absorbs more moisture than the other.
If the board can be removed, lay the board in the sunshine with the cupped side UP - so the board rocks back and forth when touched. I usually lay warped boards on a 2X on sawhorses.
Apply water to the cupped side, and use clamps to gradually draw the ends of the board down. This process may take 36 to 48 hours depending on the wood species involved.
Keep the board wet, and SLOWLY tighten the clamps to draw the board flat. Once the board is flat, leave it in the clamps for an additional 24 hours past the time it is completely dry.
It's time consuming and tedious, but in many cases (not all) it can be done.
Having said that - some warped wood can be straightened.
Wood warps when one side (or edge) of a board absorbs more moisture than the other.
If the board can be removed, lay the board in the sunshine with the cupped side UP - so the board rocks back and forth when touched. I usually lay warped boards on a 2X on sawhorses.
Apply water to the cupped side, and use clamps to gradually draw the ends of the board down. This process may take 36 to 48 hours depending on the wood species involved.
Keep the board wet, and SLOWLY tighten the clamps to draw the board flat. Once the board is flat, leave it in the clamps for an additional 24 hours past the time it is completely dry.
It's time consuming and tedious, but in many cases (not all) it can be done.
