Ran into an old carpenter at the hardware store yesterday, and he mentioned something interesting—said if you're checking lumber, always look at the end grain first. Apparently, tighter growth rings usually mean stronger wood. Hadn't really thought about that before...anyone got more tips like that?
That's solid advice about the rings—my old mentor used to say something similar. Another thing he drilled into me was giving boards a quick sight down the edge. If it looks like a banana, put it back...unless you're building a canoe. Learned that one the hard way.
"If it looks like a banana, put it back...unless you're building a canoe. Learned that one the hard way."
Haha, been there myself—though my "canoe" ended up as a very expensive firewood pile. Seriously though, sighting down the edge is a lifesaver. Another quick trick I've found helpful: give the board a gentle tap or knock. If it sounds dull or hollow, it's probably hiding some nasty surprises inside. Saved me from more than one woodworking disaster...and kept my wallet happier too.
Tapping can help, but honestly, I've found it pretty unreliable—especially in noisy lumber yards or big box stores. Grain pattern and weight usually tell me more. If a board feels oddly light for its size, it's probably dried unevenly or has hidden voids. Learned that after a pricey oak plank turned out to be mostly air pockets inside...still hurts thinking about it.
