New Member - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

D. riley · 05-18-2009, 09:34 AM

Hi I just joined your group!

Does anyone know how to stop wood from warping? I am doing a mosiac piece and using l/2 inch plywood as the base. But when I apply the grout to the wood it seems to warp.
Anyone have suggestions to stop the warping??

Thanks Dawn

miniwoodworker · 05-18-2009, 10:52 AM

Hi Dawn and Welcome!

re: warping

You have to keep the moisture equalized between the front and back sides of the plywood. The thinner the ply, the more important it becomes. One way to reduce the tendency to warp is to first prime or seal both sides of the ply before grouting the front side. Sealing will reduce the amount of moisture that can be absorbed by the ply from the grout.

tony coleman · 05-18-2009, 08:15 PM

varnish both sides of the ply,that should sort it,and welcome too the forum lee..........

wood-n-things · 05-18-2009, 11:07 PM

Seal both sides of the plywood first as suggested, is the only way I know.

Welcome to our little piece of the internet....

3_M · 05-18-2009, 11:48 PM

Hi Dawn,
This will happen more in thin (1/4”) than thicker wood (3/4”). The reason is moisture. One side dries more than the other side. You can keep turning it every few days or you could try to use a hair dryer or heat gun to dry one side. Put the thin wood under some heavier wood with spacers between the thin wood, for air drying. Still you will have some cupping left when you are ready to scroll saw. When stack cutting I put the pieces together opposite from each other. When cutting out inside pieces, it will release the stretch in the wood.
Mike

D. riley · 05-21-2009, 11:11 AM

Wow!!
Thanks for all the info. I will implement all of your suggestions and let you know how things went!!

Thanks also for the welcome!!
Everyone have a wonderful holiday!
Dawn

minowevie · 05-21-2009, 09:22 PM

Hi Dawn, I am wondering what kind of grout you are using, is it water based?, I am wondering if you could color some wood puttie? and use it for your grout. just a thought. your friend Evie

05-18-2009, 09:34 AM	#1
D. riley Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Member Hi I just joined your group! Does anyone know how to stop wood from warping? I am doing a mosiac piece and using l/2 inch plywood as the base. But when I apply the grout to the wood it seems to warp. Anyone have suggestions to stop the warping?? Thanks Dawn

05-18-2009, 10:52 AM	#2
miniwoodworker Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 490 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Dawn and Welcome! re: warping You have to keep the moisture equalized between the front and back sides of the plywood. The thinner the ply, the more important it becomes. One way to reduce the tendency to warp is to first prime or seal both sides of the ply before grouting the front side. Sealing will reduce the amount of moisture that can be absorbed by the ply from the grout. __________________ Lee in NC Als Ik Kan DW788 1975 Dremel (labeled Craftsman) Scroll saw w/3" pin blades

05-18-2009, 08:15 PM	#3
tony coleman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: ireland Posts: 2,162 Thanks: 11 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts	varnish both sides of the ply,that should sort it,and welcome too the forum lee.......... __________________ not doing much and busy doing it having fun making sawdust. http://www.customcutz4you.webs.com/

05-18-2009, 11:07 PM	#4
wood-n-things Staying Positive Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hamilton, Montana Posts: 18,564 Thanks: 50 Thanked 381 Times in 281 Posts	Seal both sides of the plywood first as suggested, is the only way I know. Welcome to our little piece of the internet.... __________________ "Montana MIKE" There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.” As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Pray That All The Splinters Are Pointed The Other Way... "Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long." Mike's Wood-n-Things

05-18-2009, 11:48 PM	#5
3_M Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brandon, SD Posts: 1,417 Thanks: 1 Thanked 26 Times in 26 Posts	Hi Dawn, This will happen more in thin (1/4”) than thicker wood (3/4”). The reason is moisture. One side dries more than the other side. You can keep turning it every few days or you could try to use a hair dryer or heat gun to dry one side. Put the thin wood under some heavier wood with spacers between the thin wood, for air drying. Still you will have some cupping left when you are ready to scroll saw. When stack cutting I put the pieces together opposite from each other. When cutting out inside pieces, it will release the stretch in the wood. Mike __________________ Home of the FD Blades

05-21-2009, 11:11 AM	#6
D. riley Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow!! Thanks for all the info. I will implement all of your suggestions and let you know how things went!! Thanks also for the welcome!! Everyone have a wonderful holiday! Dawn

05-21-2009, 09:22 PM	#7
minowevie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: california Posts: 6,292 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Hi Dawn, I am wondering what kind of grout you are using, is it water based?, I am wondering if you could color some wood puttie? and use it for your grout. just a thought. your friend Evie

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