Buying wood

Numbers game:
When buying a piece of dressed timber, you’ll find that its actual dimensions are a bit smaller than those specified. That’s because timber is sold by’nominal size’ — the size it is when it’s cut at the sawmill. After planing and shrinkage, the actual size is a bit smaller. To remind you of timber’s real dimensions, make a chart and tack it to workshop wall.

By the length:
Timber is usually sold in standard lengths, which range from 6′ to 24′ (1800 mm to 7200 mm) in increments of 12″ (300 mm). When large quantities of timber are ordered — say for flooring — it is generally supplied in random lengths which add up to the total number of meters ordered. Timber can be bought cut to length, but you will be charged for the piece it was cut from — a piece measuring 7′ (2145 mm) will cost the same as the standard 8′ (2400 mm) length. The price of timber is usually quoted in lineal feet (or meters), at so many dollars and cents per metre, according to dimensions. Timber is also sold in cubic feet (or meters), but it is unlikely that any domestic job will call for such a large quantity.

Resuscitating old timber:
Before you throw any old timber away, consider reusing it. First remove any nails (a magnetic stud finder will find nails covered by plugs). Fill the nail holes with wooden toothpicks or match-sticks dipped in wood glue. If a knot falls out, glue it back in with wood glue.

Warped

Is it straight?
As timber dries, the outside part of the original log tends to dry faster, and the timber will cup. To detect any warping, sight along the length of the plank. Some slight cupping is common, but reject any plank that has very prorounced warping. Also check timber for cracks, stains and other signs of damage.

Stacking it up:
To ensure air circulation and minimise warping, store timber off the ground and separate the layers with strips of 1″ x 1″ (25 x 25 mm) timber. Position the strips at each end of the stack and at 16″ intervals along the length of the planks.

Get rid of that warping:
Place a warped board, concave side down, on wet grass on a sunny day. The ground moisture on the concave side of the board and the sun’s heat on the convex side may straighten it in time. If one end is more warped than the other, weight it down with a heavy rock. Wait before using to see if it will warp again.

Getting a handle on it

Hammer carrier:
Carrying a full sheet of plywood (or other wood sheets) can be awkward at best. A claw hammer can help. Hook the claw under the bottom edge of the material, somewhere near the centre of the sheet. The hammer handle makes a convenient carrying grip. Use your free hand to steady the load.

All tied up:
Another way to carry a large, awkward sheet is with a 20′ (6000 mm) long rope tied into a loop. Slip the loop over the two bottom corners of the sheet, grasp the middle sections of the loop with one hand; steady the sheet with the other.