"Jim Willemin" wrote in message
7.131...
So I have this nice ten-foot 2x6 that I want to rip into a couple of
sticks
2 1/5 wide, then glue them up to give me a blank 2 1/2 by 3. (I'm trying
different ways of making oars). The original plank is a nice, straight
specimen of construction-grade spruce from the local lumberyard (NOT a
borg). As I rip, the kerf begins to close, so I wedge it open and
continue. After the cut is complete, I have one more or less straight
chunk, and one that curves a good four inches over its ten foot length.
This is not uncommon, but my question is: how come does it do that? Is
the
stress release due to drying, or is it locked into the tree as it grows?
Are there clues to look for in the planks in the lumberyard pile that
would
reduce the chances of this? (I'm thinking of grain orientation, or where
in
the log the plank came from). Any good references? Thanks.

This is due to drying stress, but is related to the properties of the
piece also. Look for pieces that seem softer, using your finger nail to test
hardness, and for pieces that are uniform hardness on all four sides,
the uniform, softer pieces will be less likely to have case hardened during
drying.

Case hardening is drying stress from an uneven drying condition,
case hardening is relieved in the better hardwood grades when it is kiln
dried by
the application of wet steam conditioning of the lumber while it is still
hot. Softwoods are rarely conditioned at the end of the drying cycle.

Another defect to look for is compression wood, this will show up as a wider
than normal growth ring that is slightly discoloured. Compression wood will
only be on one side of the lumber or tree, causing uneven stress in the
piece.
It is caused by a tree that was leaning and tried to straighten as it grow.
there is a lot of it here in hurricane and tornado country.

Look for straight grained pieces, the grain of the wood is the line it would
have spit down if chopped with an ax, this is independant of the growth
rings.
The straighter the grain the less stresses built up during kiln drying the
piece.

Basilisk