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[Roger2561]

Why is it every time I buy lumber from one of my big box stores the lumber will twist, warp, etc... like a corkscrew?  No matter how I try to get best from them, after a day or 2 of sitting around waiting to be used, it will be warped to the point of it being nearly impossible to use.  Roger

[mlappin]

The new lumber if you look has a lot thicker growth rings, the hybrids they plant after a clear cut grow quickly but the wider growth rings allow more twisting. If you find a old 2x4 count the rings in it, will have 4 to 5 times as many

[E Yoder]

Keeping it out of the sun helps.

[wreckit87]

Notice how soft and wet it is too, it's just a cheaper lumber than you get at the local yard. My local yard doesn't carry anything but fir and you can buy fir at the big box too and it's far better lumber than the welfare crap 2 shelves over. I'm one of those that will spend the time rifling through the whole stack for straight boards and I just used some last week that came from Menards about 8 years ago, still straight as the day I picked em up.

[mlappin]

Notice how soft and wet it is too, it's just a cheaper lumber than you get at the local yard. My local yard doesn't carry anything but fir and you can buy fir at the big box too and it's far better lumber than the welfare crap 2 shelves over. I'm one of those that will spend the time rifling through the whole stack for straight boards and I just used some last week that came from Menards about 8 years ago, still straight as the day I picked em up.

Thats cause you’re anal retentive.

[Super44]

Sun, moisture and what part of the log it came from all influence how straight it is.

[Roger2561]

The new lumber if you look has a lot thicker growth rings, the hybrids they plant after a clear cut grow quickly but the wider growth rings allow more twisting. If you find a old 2x4 count the rings in it, will have 4 to 5 times as many

Marty - After reading your comment, I went back to look at some of the old boards I have on hand and compared them to the new stuff and I can clearly see what you mean.  The growth rings on the old stuff is nice and tight, the new stuff they're wide, as much as a 1/4 inch or more in places.  Roger 

[mlappin]

Started another project, old vs new 2x4


Old vs new by Marty Lappin, on Flickr