Replies

1. 
   notDusty | Nov 23, 2004 06:20pm | #1

                       Loran ,

           Have you shaped the detail yet on the panel ? Is the panel a glue up , has it been made thinner or surfaced yet ? If the panel is not warped so much that you can't shape the edges , by all means detail the edges and perhaps dry fit and clamp it into the door frame. How much is it warped ? That really is the first thing we need to know. Once a panel is in the frame , generally little movement in the cupping action will occur . If the panel is warped too much to shape, you will need another panel .

                        good  luck                   dusty

1. 
   loran | Nov 25, 2004 09:36am | #4

   Hey Dusty,

   Thanks for the come back. The panel is everything you asked. As Ray mentioned, there was a storm front come through and I hadn't been in the shop for a few days. It picked up moisture. I have rectified the problem. I appreciate your response very much. Thank You

   Loran

2. 
   joinerswork | Nov 23, 2004 10:19pm | #2

   Loran,

   Your panel has either taken moisture on the convex side, or it has lost moisture on the concave side.  This can happen with the exposure of a different level of moisture during the planing down of the stock (exposing the wetter  center of the board, for instance, which then loses its moisture and cups on that side).  This is best prevented by letting the lumber  "acclimate" to your shop's conditions for a while before dressing to thickness.  Hard to correct after it happens.

   Or it can happen with a change of humidity in the shop, like a storm system coming thru the region you live in.  If the panel is lying flat on your bench top, and the humidity rises (or lowers, by turning on the heat), the side that is exposed will react faster than the one that's against the bench top.  Sometimes flipping the panel over, or standing it on end, will equalise the moisture level, and the panel will flatten itself out.

   A temporary solution is to introduce moisture into the side that is cupped (concave).  This will cause it to swell, and you might be able to raise the edges and get it into the frame before it tries to cup again.  If your door's frame is stout enough, it will hold the panel flat, although the panel might split, or pull the door into a twist.  Pretty risky, but I've done it with repair work, where I needed to use an original panel rather than replace it with new wood.

   Regards,

   Ray

1. 
   loran | Nov 25, 2004 09:40am | #5

   Hi Ray,

   You were bang on in your assessment. I have since remedied the problem. We have just started the rainy season here, so humidity is way up. I am installing a wood burning stove in the shop soonest. Thank you for your insight. I appreciate it very much.

   Loran

1. 
   joinerswork | Nov 30, 2004 05:25pm | #7

   Loran,

   I've had several glued up panels (chest ends) in the shop for almost a week now.  Glued them up prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, and going hunting for a couple days. They are standing on end so air can get all around.  It's gone from dry and warm, to rainy and cold.  I just checked them this a.m. and they are still nice and flat. 

   I'm glad your panel flattened out ok.  Just be sure both sides have access to that drier air, when you fire up the stove.

   Regards,

   Ray

3. 
   Alan | Nov 24, 2004 02:43am | #3

   Loran,

   What Ray said!

   The old faithful, tried and true way to equalize moisture content on both sides of a panel is to simply lay it on the lawn, concave side down.  The evaporating moisture from the grass will cause the concave side to swell a little;  the sun shining on the convex side will warm it some and the moisture will evaporate, causing the wood to contract a bit.  The result (remain hopeful) is the panel will straighten out.

   It works--although this time of year you may be hard pressed to find a warm, sunny day.

   Alan

1. 
   loran | Nov 25, 2004 09:44am | #6

   Hi Allen,

   I used a piece of thin material under the panel on a flat surface and clamped the panel again. It took a few days for the moisture to equalize but it did return to it's origional shape. I was able to raise the panel  without any difficulty. Thank you very much for your reply. It's greatly appreciated.

   Loran