Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello,

I'm wondering when it is required to sticker wood, when it's optional and when it doesn't matter at all. Like most things, if you turn to the Internet with an opinion you can find a lot of data that suggests you're right. The current election as case in point. Anyway, should I be stickering and / or weighting this stack of B&S in my shop? My shop is in the basement and the RH is starting to drop, if that is a factor. The sets will be slowly used over the next 4 months.

I always sticker after resaw and also if I buy lumber that isn't kiln dried. But should I be stickering these too?



Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!
Brad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars

Hi Brad,
I sticker mine for about a year. After that I don't consider it necessary unless it is thick such as neck wood stock. I like to leave it longer. If I am in a pinch, and the wood came from a know supplier, I build with it right away. So far the only problem I've had with doing that is with some SE Asian rosewood. About a year after the build it developed hairline cracks in the back & side. May have been just the nature of that piece of wood but I don't know.

But then if I don't need the room I tend to leave it stickered until needed. (I have some that has been stickered since I bought it 20 years ago)

In either case just be sure to move the wood to the work area a few days before you begin to build so it can acclimate.

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

One other thought, with the wood that has been waxed, like a chunk of ebony, when I receive it I scrape the wax off the sides but leave it on the ends. i like to wait as long as possible before using, maybe a few years.

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I don't think it's necessary once the wood is dry.

Sticker to dry, stack to store. A piece of scrap ply on top with a weight is ok.

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Dry wood is fine to stack without stickers, especially if it's in a humidity controlled space. Without humidity control, seal the endgrain of any brittle woods or they might crack from sudden humidity drops. Softwoods and tough hardwoods like mahogany and walnut seem to be fine without sealer.

If you have space, it may be advantageous to sticker without climate control, and let the wood expand and contract with humidity for years. Some people say that makes it more stable, but I'm not sure if it's really true.

What do you guys use to seal the end grain on dry wood? Paraffin wax?

Shellac. Or thin CA on things that already have splits (but do it outdoors because fumes). But if wax is what you have handy, go for it.

Hey Brad.
I had wondered/asked this a lot when i first started purchasing wood. I accumulated a pile pretty quick.
I did meticulously sticker all of my backs with 4 stickers to each average set, some more, and placed under weight.
Ultimately I did take each of those sets and sealed the ends with wax. People have mentioned the use of old paint, white glue, etc.. anything with a bit of sealing quality i gather.
They reside in a relatively steady RH of about 50-65.
In the end i dont believe they needed to be stickered or waxed. After my last inventory all the stickers were removed and i see no change.
From the begining, I never stickered any soundboards and have seen absolutely no change with them.
My wood has been purchased and stored from as late as 4 years ago.
Bare in mind none of this wood was wet when stored and this was my experience.
gregor

_________________
Wake up and smell the rosewood!