You are here:

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/How to straighten twisted wood

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/8/2009


Question
Greg, I am making a countertop out of red oak. The design is a framework that will have 3 glass inserts in the top. The overall size of the top is 96" x 21". I need to make the top as an independent piece and then install it on the cabinet which backs up to a half wall over which the top will span. My problem is that one of my 96" stringers (1-1/8" thk) is warped. It twists about 1/8" - 3/16" over the length. Do you know of a way I can eliminate or reduce that twist? Perhaps with water or steam. Or perhaps by cutting flutes lengthwise on the underside. Any help will be appreciated.

Answer
Hey Rich, unfortunately, there isn't much you can do with a twist like this other than when you affix it to the base...this is one of the problems with Red Oak, in that it's not quite as stable as White Oak, and the grain is also a bit more undesirable when making a long stringer like this, unless you choose the piece wisely, being sure to select one with the straightest grain possible....it's also important to use wood that's at the proper moisture content, whatever you build from, and because of the deep porosity of Red vs. White, I wouldn't recommend it for a kitchen or other moist environment. The only other thing I can think of is to design a support into it, underneath, that runs the 96"....1/8-3/16" over 8 feet isn't a huge twist either...but I would be concerned with what it will do as it ages......hope that helps a little- post back if need be- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.