Appreciation post: Old timer at the lumber yard saved my cabinet doors

I was at Highland Lumber in Portland last month stressing over some cherry veneer panels that kept cupping on me. This older guy in a flannel saw me and just walked over, said "you're fighting the grain, stop it." He showed me how to alternate the grain direction when glueing up panels and even gave me a scrap piece to practice on. Has anyone else run into random strangers who just drop trade secrets like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

leewood2d ago

That guy basically walked up and handed you the cheat codes for woodworking. Gotta love old timers who don't give a crap about being polite, they just tell you what's up.

charles7202d ago

Actually grain direction flipping helps more with plywood than solid wood panels lol.

holly7092d ago

That grain trick is the real deal, huh? Same thing bit me on a birch plywood shelf once - took me three tries before a cabinetmaker at the local shop told me to flip every other board end-for-end before glue-up. Saves you a ton of sanding and swearing. Also helps to let your wood acclimate in the shop for a couple days before you start cutting, keeps the cupping from sneaking up on you.