4×4 PT posts are twisted – can I true these up? Will they stay true?
I bought PT 4×4 posts to use on my patio (supports from roof to knee wall). The boards were all straight when I bought them, but now, a month later after sititng in my garage I find they are all twisted and bowed. If I was to true these up on my table saw, would they stay true, or will they continue to twist?
I suppose I should not have bought PT lumber. The project is outdoors (a covered patio) but not in contact with the ground. Should I have bought 4×4 cedar posts?
Replies
If you are talking about treated yellow pine, all bets are off. How much of the 4x4 will be left by the time you true them up.
Long story short, yeah you should of went with cedar.
Becareful if you do cut these....depending on the preserative lumber yards will not cut these indoors for safety reasons.
Ripping them to true them up isn't a good idea. You have no guarantee that the wood has stopped twisting, and if you slice off much of the surface you lose the treatment.
a. Use'm twisted, tack on shims after the pt is dr; and build out with 1x boards.
b attach fake stone
c. call the twisted 'art'
@junkhound - you have a dry sense of humor (like me). I always enjoy reading your replies.
Actually I was thinking I could cut the boards down to 3 x3 to square them up and attach 1x4 PVC trim to get back to the 4x4 size I need. But I now believe that these boards are probably not done twisting. I'll just save these for fence posts.
I'm going to get 4x4 Cedar posts this time.