Rough Around the Edges

Imagine . Design . Create . Inspire

  • About
  • DIY Furniture & Decor
    • WoodWorking
    • Paper Mache
    • Furniture Plans
  • Interior Design
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Store Finds
  • Home Inspiration
    • Room Makeovers
    • Mood Boards
  • Local Artisans

The Ultimate Guide on How to Pick Out Wood Boards

July 13, 2019 by Tamara Anguiano Leave a Comment

How to pick out wood at the lumber yard

So you’re at Lowes or Home Depot to pick up some wood for a project you saw on Pinterest. If this is your first time picking wood you probably did the same mistake I made and probably a few other first time woodworkers. Can you guess what that mistake is? It’s not knowing that you picked out some warped boards. I wish I knew about this when I first started woodworking. Or maybe I did, but can’t remember. My high school woodshop class was probably 10 years ago and the teacher was like “oh my god your a girl don’t touch anything. You will hurt yourself.”If only he could see me now. Anyway, here is my first post on basic woodworking series.

You’re probably wondering what is a warped board. To be frank its exactly as it sounds. It’s a board that has been twisted or reshaped by humidity, moisture, and other factors. Also if a piece of wood dries unevenly this makes the wood misshapen. Some are pretty obvious, but others you have to know what you’re looking for. There are a few wood terms to know and understand before picking out the wood at your local home improvement store. Lets get into it. 

 

Types of Wood Warping

So I could illustrate these boards via some kind of software, but nothing beats a good ole paper and pencil sketch. Fun Fact: I took art AP Art all through High School, so I kinda know how to draw a little. I used Copic markers to color the boards in. These things are bomb for sketches. You’ll see them in illustrations, room rendering, fashion sketches and more. They just take a sketch a level up.

Types of Warped wood

First image is bowing of the board. This is the curving of the board lengthwise from the facing. Same concept as a bow and arrow.

The second image demonstrates a kink. Did you ever have a kink at the end of your hair when you straighten your hair? Well, same difference. It’s basically a deviation of the board edgewise from a straight line. 

The third image shows a twisted board. Its exactly like when you twist a long rectangular paper. The four corners of the board are no longer on the same plane. (Bet you didn’t think you would use geometry again after high school huh?)

The fourth picture is called cup or cupping of the board. I usually call this the happy or smiley face, depending on how you look at it. The deviation runs the length of the board.

And finally, the last image demonstrates the crook. The curvature of a board that is along the edge. Basically another happy or sad face but through the hole side of the board, or a crooked board. Don’t mistake this one as bowing, which is the curvature through the face not the edge.

 

Lets get a Close Up

Now that you got a basic knowledge of what a warped board is, its time to put it into practice. 

Exactly how does one find these defaults. Well, there are the obvious ones where clearly there is something wrong with that board. An then there are the sneaky SOBs that you won’t know that they are warped till you get home uggghhh anyway I digress. After so many failed attempts I am with a shadow of a doubt more confident it picking my own boards. 

To really get a good vantage point to see the defects of the board you want to hold the board up to your face and look down the length of the board. Do this for both faces and the edges. I tend to squint a little to really focus of the edges and the to see if there is any curvature in the faces.

Okay don’t judge I look like crap, I am hella tired from working on a ton of pieces in this Texas heat and I don’t feel like putting on my shoes just to demonstrate this easy tip. 

how to pick out wood

This board is a good example of a straight board edge wise.

twisted wood board twisted wood board

This board is an example of a twisted board. If you can see in the second picture. The end closes to me is flat on the floor while the other end is has a point flip up to the right. In the first picture the end facing away from me is perfectly on the ground on both points, while the end towards me is slanted. This is a type of board you defiantly don’t want to get. Oh and another tip, watch for splits at the end of the boards. That sucker will keep growing depending on the movement of the wood. 

Wood warping is a common problem and some things you able to fix it with either a planner or some heavy weights. But when you don’t have that option it’s best to get the straightest boards at the yard. Now that’s not to say that they still won’t warp once you get them home. Storage also plays a role in warping. Depending on the humidity and moisture content in the wood. Next time I will go deeps on the different types of lumbar what what kinds of projects would work best with each so stay tuned. Hope this was helpful and that it gives you more confidence on your next shopping trip to Home Depot. Till next time amigas adios!

Signature

P.S Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter where you gain access to tons of freebies and weekly updates on the blog and not on the blog.

 

[mailerlite_form form_id=1]

You might also enjoy...

3 Quick and Easy DIY Father’s Day Gift IdeasDIY father's day gift Idea
DIY Double Barn Door Entertainment CenterDIY double barn door media center
DIY Rustic Vent Hood CoverDIY Rustic Vent Hood Cover

Filed Under: DIY Projects, WoodWorking Tagged With: picking out wood at the lumbar yard

Previous Post Mood Board Monday: Modern Rustic Italian Patio Design
Next Post How to Paint a Room, Pretty Much Fool Proof

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello There!

Hello There!

I am a stay at home jack of all trades mom. I love interior design and getting dirty building furniture and doing home DIYs. I am prior military , so I am a bit rough around the edges, but I love myself that way. Check out my About me page to to get into the nitty gritty.

Lets Get Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe

Sign up to Rough Edges Newsletter to receive new post, tips, freebies, and specially offers only to you. Don't miss a thing!

mood board creation

Looking for something?

Free Printables

Categories

  • About Me
  • Bedroom
  • Book List
  • Books
  • Caregivers Corner
  • Day In The Life
  • DIY Projects
  • Fitness Tips
  • Food
  • Food Tips
  • Home Upgrades
  • Interior Design Tips
  • Lifestyle
  • Local Artisans
  • Mood Boards
  • Paper Mache
  • Recipes
  • Room Makeover
  • Sign Making
  • Store Finds
  • Stress Management
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • WoodWorking
  • Workouts
  • Blog
  • Lets Work Together!
  • Lifestyle
  • Cart

rougharoundtheedgesdesign

rougharoundtheedgesdesign
Yup I know I have been gone for a hot minute. Well Yup I know I have been gone for a hot minute. Well from starting interior design school, finding out I’m prego, and trying to finish a ton of orders. It’s been a doozy for sure. Im so glad and grateful that I have patient (I mean very patient) clients. 🥰I’m a bit nervous for the challenges to come but I’m super excited to take them on.  So here is my first drafting sketch of a floor plan and I hope to show you guys more content to come. For any aspiring interior designer feel free to ask me questions as I continue this course and others. P.s. I do have a ton of furniture build plans I need to work on so hopefully I get get them on the blog slowly but surely. #drafting #interiordesign #pregnancyannouncement #woodworking #satxbloggers #artinstitutesanantonio #floorplans #goals
The beast is done. Tv console/ doggie kennel. Firs The beast is done. Tv console/ doggie kennel. First time and I think it came out pretty good, what you think?  Maybe some plans?  My mom is thinking she wants a side table version for her little beast. That could be interesting.  On a side note, do you have a fur baby? I am in love with my little trouble maker “Max”. He is a shiba inu with a crazy ton of personality. Tell me about your doggie 🐶 😉😊#woodworking #diy #doggiekennel #diydogkennel #shebuilds #shibainu #femalewoodworkers #cuttingrebar #rusticdecor #industrialrustic #tuesdayfun #carpentry #satxblogger #satxcarpenter #furbaby🐶 #woodworker🔨
Bet you guys thought all I do is woodworking and d Bet you guys thought all I do is woodworking and design boards. Nope, there are actually a few things I do, and paper mache is one of them. I can't get my son to stop playing around with these. Aren't they cool. I freaking love Halloween, and Halloween decor is still home decor. I got a few more coming out can't wait to see how they turn out. ⠀
⠀
If you are curious about how to make these sign up for my newsletter to get updates on when the tutorial goes live (blog link in bio) Youtube Video coming out soon as well. Here is to the first day of fall!!!!⠀
⠀ ⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
#satxblogger #satxartisans  #papermache #papermachesculpture #papermâché #papermachepumpkin #papermachecraft #papermachepumpkins #diypumpkin #pumpkins #pumpkinseason #pumpkins🎃 #halloweendecor #halloweendecorideas #halloweendecorations🎃 #halloweendecoratingideas #halloweendecor2019 #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #halloween #papermaché #papermacheartist #firstdayoffall #firstdayoffall🍁
Who doesn’t love a farmhouse piece 😁 Free bui Who doesn’t love a farmhouse piece 😁 Free building plans on the blog (link in bio)😉How would you decorate it. Im thinking a comfy blanket on the bottom and a tray with some candles. What you guys think?  #woodworking #farmhouse #farmhousefurniture #farmhousefurnituremakers #diyhomedecor #freefurnitureplans #femalewoodworkers #farmhousestyledecor #creator #woodworkingwoman
#flashbackfriday taking a walk down memory lane. I #flashbackfriday taking a walk down memory lane. I remember doing these cute babies. But the part I remember most is that the client wanted a natural pine stain rather than dark. That was fun trying to sand down the tops. As for the bottom I just ended up replace them. It’s happens, especially with mommy brain 😉😁😂. Tell me of your oopsie moment?  #woodworking #ithappens #mommybrain #farmhouse #farmhousesidetable #farmhousesidetables #funinthrees #homemade #carpentry #chickswhobuildshit #chickswhobuild
Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instea Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. --Judy Garland⠀
⠀
In this day in age, it's hard not to get mixed up in comparing your self with others and trying to be some you are not.⠀
⠀
Stay true and be you. What the fun in life if you can't be yourself. Love yourself. And never stray away from being who you truly are. ⠀
⠀
I love being corky, weird, boyish, girlie, confident/ not, being a creator/ artisan, a hard worker, and having a military sense of humor. ⠀
⠀
What do you love about yourself?⠀
⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
#satxblogger #satxartisans #loveyourself #loveyourselfchallenge #beyourself #beyourselfquotes #beyourselfbeamazing #beyourselfnomatterwhat #love #livelovelaugh #womenwhobuild #hardworking #betruetoyourself #betruetowhoyouare #betruetomyself #betruetoyourvalues
I hope you guys enjoyed your Labor Day weekend. Up I hope you guys enjoyed your Labor Day weekend. Update: So the plans are done and I love how they came out. To check out the full version head to the blog where I stash all my free furniture plans at. If you haven't seen the finished product, scroll down a little on the feed and you will be able to spot it. This design is with faux drawers because I did not need any more areas to put crap in and hide. My poor kitchen cabinets already do all of the heavy hiding and are probably stuffed to the max. Anyway, I digress. So the drawers are basically for show. If your wondering were I got the hardware, @hobbylobby never disappoints. ⠀
⠀
⠀
⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
#carpentry #carpentrylife #woodworkingsoftware #furniture #furnituredesign #womenwoodworkers #girlswhobuild #fusion360 #handmade #handmadefurniture #handmadefurnituredesign #femalewoodworker #satx #satxbloggers #satxwoodwork #build #handmade
Isn't she a buet. Just in time for the holidays. F Isn't she a buet. Just in time for the holidays. Fall is here and this table is ready to go to its home for years of family gatherings and memories. I gotta say I just love it when we all gather at the table and shoot the shit. Whether it be game night or thanksgiving every memory is special. How about you?⠀
⠀
⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
*⠀
#woodworking #woodwork #woodcraft #woodworkers #woodfurniture #woodworkinglove #femalewoodworker #femalewoodworkersunite #femaleentrepreneur #femaleempowerment #rustic #rusticstyle #rusticfarmhouse #rustictable #rustictabledesign #farmhousetable #farmhousetablegatherings #farmhousetabledesigner #farmhousetablegathering #satx #satxblogger #satxartisans #satxwoodwork #furniture #furnituremaker #rusticfurniture #furnituremaking
Load More... Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: There is no connected account for the user 10560226212.

GET UPDATES!

Sign up to Rough Edges Newsletter to receive new post, tips, specially offers only to you. Plus free access to the rescue library. Don't miss a thing!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

COPYRIGHT © 2018. Theme by Lovely Confetti · DMCA.com Protection Status

Disclosure Policy - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy