Storing your hardwood

[drodda]

I am looking for suggestions on how to store hardwood without it turning into bananna wood in a few days. Right now I buy hardwood for each job as it will warp forever if I buy more than I can use in a couple days. How would a person store wood to keep it looking great for a much longer time?

As always any of your wisdom would be greatly appreciated,

Dave

[harryball]

I have some hardwood stored for years... I found some mahogany I had stored for 15 years. All of it is straight and true.

When you stack the wood it needs to be on a flat surface and you need stickers (wood spacers) between the board so air can circulate on every side. I even purchase pressure treated and stack it stickered and keep it straight (provided it starts out straight) while it dries.

I do, however, sometimes throw wood on the rack planning to use it that day or in the morning and forget about it. As expected, it warps.

If you have an extreme case you can clamp the material top to bottom to hold the pressure on the boards to keep them straight. You can use cement blocks on top of a nice stack, that works well. I once kept some yellow pine lumber outside for a few months. Threw a tarp over it after stacking and placed a cement block about every 3 feet. It was better than when I first stacked it when I pulled it out.

Robert

[rhfurniture]

Think about it. Do you want your wood to warp before you plane it up or afterwards? I always bring it into the workshop (which I keep reasonable dry and warm) and saw it up (especially if deep cut) then let it warp for a week or two before using it. For long term storage, I keep it off the ground by 4 inch or so, with 15mm(5/8 inch) stickers every 2 to 3 feet accross the stack between layers. I usually find the top board in a stack might warp - just turn it every now and then to even things out. Keep OUT OF SUN, and covered to prevent rain damage.

r.