Dealing with wood defects

 

Crook: A board that
rocks from end to
end when laid on
one edge.

Crook Defect

How you straighten the edge of a crooked board depends on the severity of the defect. If the crook is mild, run the concave edge over your jointer to straighten it. Use caution to prevent the leading end from catching on the outfeed table.

 

To put a straight edge on
a crooked board, stick
it on a long, straight
carrier, such as a strip
of plywood (about
3/4 x 8 x 60"), using
double-faced tape.
Guide the carrier along
the tablesaw fence to rip
off one bad edge.

For boards with severe crook, options exist. You can crosscut the board into shorter pieces, then joint each. You also can rip off the crooked edge at the tablesaw using a long carrier board, as shown in Photo A, right. Or snap a straight line on the board, cut it with a handheld circular saw, then joint the edge smooth.