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Is there an easy way (for an entry level DIY)to straighten 2x4s that are’out of shape’? Thanks.
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BillS,
Are they in the wall? Exposed or not? What's going on with these 2x4s?
Ed. Williams
*BillIf you bought them that wayi propeller gradethen chalk it up to experience and splurge on the i premium studsthe next time. If they twisted after installation, they were still probably either green or poor grade, either way a twist is hard to fix, a bow can be straigtened with careful use of a sawzall or jigsaw to i kerfthe stud part way through and a wedge driven into the kerf, with a straightedge to guide you. In a load bearing wall this kerfed stud must then be strenghthened by nailing i scabsto either side bridging the kerfed area by 16" or so. Be sure the bowing or twisting is not a result of unexpected load from above, this presents a whole other scenario which must be dealt with first!!-pm
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They are not in the wall. They twisted because I
didn't place them properly, for only a few days.
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BillS,
It is possible that you are a very bad person and that you should be overwhelmed by guilt because you didn't,"place them properly". But I think it's more likely that they were green and dried to the shape they prefer. If you do still feel a need to be punished, I'm sure Patrick could recommend a nun.
JonC
*Two suggestions come to mind. One is to find 2 studs (I'm assuming they're studs) with similar bows, and nail them together with the bows pointed in opposite directions. (Like a stud and cripple) This might straighten them out, or you might end up with 2 crooked boards nailed together. The second, and probably better suggestion, is to make shorter boards out of them. Use them up for sill cripples, blocking, drywall backers, etc. And don't forget you can always return them.
*Firewood. . . give 'em to blue's old lady she's a pyro. . .Jon CFresh out of nun references, all the ones from my youth are departed. . . thankfully.-pm
*These wouldn't by chance be Southern Yellow Pine would they ? If so dont feel bad , there gonna twist and warp no matter what you do . I'd return them unless you can use them for blocking or something like Ron suggested . Chuck
*BillS,Don't feel bad. You didn't have to place them properly in time. They would have warpped no matter what. It sounds like you got some "green" wood. (Was not kiln dried) I don't know where you bought them, but wood has a mind of it's own. Like Chuck says, if they are SYP, you didn't have a prayer.Next time buy kiln dried #2 fir studs. No finger joints.Ed. Williams
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They are not SYP, they are green Douglas Firs. I am glad I only buy a few of them. They smell good and I learned something. Nice 'talk' to you. Thanks.
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I have never used finger joint studs, but I thought that the manufactures claimed that they bowed, twisted, warped, etc. less?
*Matt - 2 or 3 years ago I needed a unit of 2x6 studs for a building and the guy I always deal with at the local yard suggested finger jointed precuts. "same price, more stable, kiln dried...all the local guys are switchin' to them, you'll like them" he said. So I am layin' out the first plates on the job, reach into this brand new unit for an arm load of studs and start spreadin' them. About the second or third one I slide into place seems really "soft", kind of "sags". So I look closer and the frikken thing COMES APART at a finger joint! So I think, "kinda wierd, better look at a few more". The very next one I pull out of the unit, the fingers are MISALIGNED! I couldn't believe it. I sent the unit back but I kept those two. See them every day I walk into the shop, Even if it was a fluke, it will take me a very long time to trust them again. The idea is great, but I sure don't use or recommend them to anyone. - jb
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Is there an easy way (for an entry level DIY)to straighten 2x4s that are'out of shape'? Thanks.