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This article was co-authored by Garrett Faust. Garrett Faust is a Designer & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & Signs. He is also the Co-Founder of Uptown Woodworks based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With over seven years of professional experience, Garrett and co-founder, Harrison, specialize in creating custom wood wall art and signs. They use CNC lasers and routers to cut out or engrave detailed artwork. Garrett received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of St. Thomas.
This article has been viewed 127,597 times.
Here are some steps to help you stop wood from splitting!
Steps
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Choose a suitable wood if you are building a project. Tight-grained hardwoods that are seasoned or kiln-dried are less likely to split than green woods or softwoods.
Work the wood so that the grain runs its longest direction along the length of your project, rather than cutting the wood diagonally or across the grain.[1]Advertisement
Seal the wood with boiled linseed oil or sanding sealer as soon as possible after you are finished shaping the work.[2]
Use an exterior sealer for lumber used in building handrails, decks, or other outdoor building products to reduce expansion and contraction during rain/sunny weather changes.[3]
Reduce exposure to direct sunlight where rapid drying can cause the wood to split if possible.
During a curing period for green woods, stack the wood so that even drying will occur. You may also paint the ends of larger lumber or even logs so the internal moisture evaporates more slowly.[4]
Consider using knotty or burl woods since the uneven, gnarly, or crooked grains are not as prone to cracking as are straight grains.
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Community Q&A
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- QuestionWill sugar water prevent raw wood from cracking as it dries?
Community AnswerNo, not at all. It will accelerate the drying and rotting process. The best way I know to preserve and strengthen raw wood and prevent cracks in one step is bathing it in teak oil. The downside is teak oil takes two or three weeks to dry and harden enough to put any other stain or finish over it. But it does protect and strengthen the wood fibers deeper inside the wood than anything else, and it can stand alone as its own finish. It gives the wood a permanently wet color. It creates a pretty natural raw look, but it isn't a totally professional looking finish unless you varnish over the top. If you use the boiled linseed oil you can get a nice gloss finish like a gun stock. - QuestionHow do I fix a split wood post?
DonaganTop AnswererTry wood glue and a band clamp. A well-placed wood screw might work, too.
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Tips
- Use well-seasoned or kiln dried lumber if cracks are not desired in your building project.[5]Thanks
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Warnings
- Store lumber during curing where minimal moisture is expected and protect it from wood-eating insects.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about woodworking, check out our in-depth interview with Garrett Faust.
References
- ↑ https://sawsonskates.com/wood-mistakes-cause-cracking/
- ↑ https://www.wwgoa.com/article/how-to-stop-green-wood-from-cracking-as-it-dries/
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/outdoor-wood-will-rot-and-crack-from-water-damage-if-not-treated-periodically/2012/06/05/gJQAoiWLdV_story.html?noredirect=on
- ↑ https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/drying-wood-at-home/
- ↑ https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/drying-wood-at-home/
About This Article
Designer & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & Signs
This article was co-authored by Garrett Faust. Garrett Faust is a Designer & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & Signs. He is also the Co-Founder of Uptown Woodworks based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With over seven years of professional experience, Garrett and co-founder, Harrison, specialize in creating custom wood wall art and signs. They use CNC lasers and routers to cut out or engrave detailed artwork. Garrett received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of St. Thomas. This article has been viewed 127,597 times.
Co-authors: 6
Updated: July 5, 2023
Views: 127,597
Categories: Wood Finishes and Treatments
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 127,597 times.
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