I recently worked on milling some walnut and cherry wood using a table saw. I was cutting strips that are about 1" to 1.5" thick and 20" long, but after making the cuts, nearly every piece ended up bowing along one edge or both. Is this typical for walnut due to potential tension in the wood, or did I possibly make a mistake while cutting? What about cherry wood?
3 Answers
The warping you're seeing is often due to stress relief and changes in moisture content. If the wood isn’t properly dried or if it’s cut from the wrong part of the log, it can bow after cutting. There are different drying methods that can affect how the wood behaves, so it really depends on how your lumber was prepared before you got it.
The drying process and how you cut the wood can heavily influence warping. If you take the lumber home and start milling it without letting it acclimate, you might see more movement. For example, if you recently bought the lumber and immediately started making cuts, the wood wasn't given time to stabilize. It can help to wait between milling steps to allow for adjustments in moisture.
Another factor to keep in mind is the moisture content of your wood. Higher moisture levels make warping more likely when you cut new surfaces. Walnut tends to be sensitive to drying conditions. It’s best to let it sit for at least a week after cutting, especially if you notice any movement.