Timber storage

[transatlantic]

About 6 months ago, I made a horizontal timber storage rack, and at that time, I also purchased a fair bit of pine (redwood) for a project that I didn't end up doing. I have now just been sorting through that timber and noticed that every piece has a severe twist, making it unusable unless I cut it up into much smaller pieces.

I'm debating now on ditching the rack and just storing it vertical to get back a lot of space, as well as it being much easier to sort through. My thinking is that if it does bow, then assuming it isn't too bad, you can generally clamping it out.

Just curious as to what the ratio here is of vertical to horizontal storage?

 

[Benpointer]

I have got a fair amount of cedar and oak which has been stored horizontally for the past 5 years in an unheated garage, I have checked it every year or so and it's not moved at all. But the oak was air dried, and cedar kiln dried, when I acquired it.

On the other hand, I bought a number of green oak sleepers about 5 years ago, which were fairly straight when I got them, also stored horizontally, but they have moved varying amounts over the years, e.g. bowing 30mm in 2.5m length, and I still don't think the ones that haven't gone into garden projects are dry yet.

So, I'd guess it's down to the initial quality and dryness of the timber.

 

[monkeybiter]

Piggy-backing onto your thread/question [hope you don't mind] I'd be interested to know if there's any problem with storing boards horizontally on edge as opposed to flat, it would make 'random access' a lot easier.

 

[John15]

Regarding storing timber vertically, I store all my boards this way keeping it as upright as possible (no idea of angle but pretty small). So far I haven't had a problem.

John

 

[Alexam]

I also store my boards on edge - horizontally and have not had a problem. They were all dried boards and not raw timber, which I believe should be stored flat to prevent twisting and have spacers at regular intervals.

 

[custard]

I use a couple of unheated lock-up garages as my main timber store, and the timber is generally stored flat and in stick.

But over time boards tend to migrate into the heated workshop, where invariably they're stored on end to conserve space.

Yes, I know, it makes no sense, but that's the way I've always done it and I seem to manage okay. One notable exception, for really critical components like drawer sides or cabinet door stiles and rails, I machine the parts down to final dimensions in stages and I'm meticulous about keeping them in stick right up to being assembled.