3x3 oak cracking - Family Woodworking

4x4 dimension lumber used for building construction is wet wood. Generally, they are not kiln dried. They would become too expensive. As you cut and mill the wood, it is drying and will crack. Also many 4x4's also include the pith of the tree, a sure path to cracking and splitting. The pith is the very center around which all the rings grow. Generally you do not want it anywhere in your project. It spells trouble. I can explain why, but I will only if you ask. Most people don't care.

If you need wood set-up blocks that stay stable, I would suggest the pattern maker's wood friend, mahogany. You likely will have to face glue it to the block size you want. I doubt it can be found in a 4x4 dimension. Don't dismiss this as being too expensive. Look into it first.

Your need here for really dimensionally stable wood limits your choices, but one them is not 4x4's from the borgs. Hardwoods are normally kiln dried and you should have better luck. White oak or osage orange would also be candidates. Dried oak is best bought already dimensioned and drying oak is an art form. Osage orange would depend on where you live and whether there are lumber mills around. It is not something you can find at every lumber yard and certainly the borgs.

Do consider buying 4/4 lumber and face gluing. You are not likely to find 4x4 hardwood stock anywhere and if you could, the price would knock your socks off. Gluing 4/4 stock will be much less expensive. So go for the good stuff and save yourself some grief.

BTW, borg means a place like Home Depot. Thought I'd offer that because you said you were new to this world.

Source: http://familywoodworking.org/forums/showthread.php?26852-3x3-oak-cracking

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