Thread: Can you Straighten twisted timber?

Fence palings are usually cut from unseasoned timber (or at least not properly seasoned), which is why they usually warp, and why they're cheap.

The only way to flatten them would be to flatten one face using a jointer and then run them through a thicknesser. Ripping them down the centre first would make it easier & result in less wastage.

You'd probably wind up with very thin rubbish timber. Personally I wouldn't bother unless it's very nice timber.

hi dennis ,
if you want to do some recycling you have to be prepared to have a lot of waste!!
ive just finished doing about 100 jarrah fence palings , about 50% waste . the wood was free and it took 2 days to do, ended up with 8/10mm thick boards.(thickness sander)
any twisted, badly cupped, rotted or split boards i cut out or tossed .
my thoughts on twisted boards are if they have twisted and you straighten them will they eventually twist again??
happy new year & recycling.
seeyasoon mik.

[This message has been edited by mikmaz1 (edited 29 December 2002).]

Well, that is about what I thought too.
It seems to me that there will be quite a bit of waste, but as the timber was free and as I only need short lengths I may do ok out of the situation.
Happy new year to evryone

Sounds like you have some ideal material for some rustic furniture.

If that takes you fancy a warp or twist here or ther isn't so much of a problem.