Stacking and stickering

[dgman]

In a previous post about warping wood, I spoke of stacking and stickering to help keep thin woods from warping. This is done so air can circulate around the board to keep the moisture equal on both sides of the board. If more moisture is absorbed on one side than the other it will cup. So it is important to keep things constant on both side of the board.
Use stickers or sticks all the same thickness. Stack the boards with the stickers in between each layer.
The first picture is the Spanish Ceder used in the Gentleman's Box. The second pic is a shipment of 1/4" cherry, maple and walnut that I received from www.ocoochhardwoods.com. The wood has been sitting that way for about two weeks now, and is now ready to be worked.

[dgman]

Here are the pics.

[Gabby]

Do you have any problems with splitting (checking) on those thin boards?
G

[dgman]

No Gabby, they are all kiln dried.

[CNLNC]

Hey dgman,
What do you consider to be "thin wood" when this technique would be required?
Also, does it matter what type of wood, or all "thin" cuts of wood?

Thanks for the info.

[dgman]

Anything under 3/4" is thin wood to me. But anytime you bring in any wood into your shop, you need to sticker and stack till it equalizes to you shop before you mill it or start working it. but thin boards will always warp or cup unless you take precautions.
If you plane your own boards it is important to plane equal amounts on both sides. Then sticker and stack until it equalizes.

[CNLNC]

Thanks for the info. I now know what my first chore will be tomorrow...

[nickchalker]

Great tips.  I know what I am doing this afternoon when it warms up a little!

[cameronj]

Thanks for the tips Dan.  Can't do any planing until some of this snow melts and the temps go up here.  Hopefully that will be soon.
Jim