Q: In our manufacturing of mouldings, we use red oak and are in the process of trying to monitor casehardening. What is the easiest test to do for this? Prong? Cup? Other? Also, what is the frequency recommended for doing this test? And should the supplier be able to provide us with this information normally based on their testing or drying process?
U.S. Geological Survey encourages sound science research, monitoring of forests to preserve environment.
Q: We assemble the individual narrow strips (we call them staves) into table tops without paying attention to grain orientation. A recent visitor to our facility suggested that we should flip every other piece so that when viewed from the end grain, the rings alternate direction, one with the rings crowning in the middle and the next one reversed so the rings create a valley. This is supposed to prevent cupping of the top, which we do not have anyway. Can you help us figure out if we need to change?
More content about Wood SpeciesQ. With the recent changes in lumber prices, we have been purchasing a lot of No.1 Common instead of No.2 Common. We are finding that our products seem to glue better and stay flatter. Can you possibly explain why this is so? Is it in the wood or in the way it is dried?
Tearout is more severe and deeper when the lumber has been overdried.
Understanding wood density can be a factor in
substitution choices.
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