I have some 2x4's that have a slight curve in them. Should I just
clamp them together with some straight boards and wait for a while?
They didn't seem curved when I bought them a few weeks ago. The boards
are always slightly wet when I get them from Home Depot or Lowes.
Should I keep my wood slightly damp while I'm storing it? Would making
the wood slightly damp help to straighten out the curved boards?

Hi mxnmatch,

I spoke to the lumber department at my local Home Depot.  

They are shipped damp from the factory, because when the logs come to
the mill they're soaked from floating down the water to the mill.  The
saw blade cuts through them like butter when the logs are wet and
doesn't ruin the blade.

You'll want to use a heavy duty clamp on the form.

Clamp them on a straight form, using straight boards, a concrete form
or a metal form.

Keep them slightly damp while clamping. Keep checking them every few
days to see if the twist is coming out of the boards.

Depending on what your making with the boards, they can straighten on
their own.  If they're supported well with nails every 24 inches they
will straighten out.

If you're using them for an addition to your house, roofing trusses,
cross bracings, etc., they will straighten out.

When storing the boards, if they're straight - group them together
with strong metal bands and lay them one on top of the other.  You
*can* keep them damp, but most people just let them dry out.



Best regards,
tlspiegel

Thanks! That's exactly what I wanted to know!

Boards are no longer kiln dried nor treated to deter termites etc?  Neil

Hi mxnmatch,

Thank you for the 5 star rating, comments and tip.  :)

Best regards,
tlspiegel