This is BAD! Better to Cut then Flatten or Flatten then Cut?? | Flatten Large Slab/Wood

With all the milling I have been doing recently I have been asked several times if it is better to Cut then Flatten or Flatten and then cut your lumber. Had a guy at work ask me to flatten a tabletop for him and this is a great opportunity to show my thoughts behind the question!
I am of the opinion that it is better to cut your stock or slabs to a dimension close to what you will be needing because it will likely GREATLY reduce the amount of wood that you will have to remove. This table top was a great example. If you could even find a jointer wide enough you would have lost almost 3/8" of the thickness of the table. By cutting it and taking out much of the warp before even hitting the jointer I was able to fix the table by removing only 1/8" of an inch.
You know we have a website with all sorts of awesome plans. Support the channel and build some great stuff!
www.diytyler.co...
Like what you see, here are some more great videos:
• DIYTyler Woodworking V...
Some tools I use (affiliate links):
Rockler 1/2" Doweling Jig: amzn.to/2OofVXx
Rocker Glue Applicator Set: amzn.to/2NRu8uV
FastCap 16oz Glue Bot: goo.gl/X5aNZ0
FastCap Tape Measure: goo.gl/t2lWJD
EDC Belt Carry: goo.gl/XZnWRx
Mirka 6" ROS Sander: goo.gl/Dp85kf
Fuji Q5 5 Stage Turbine Spray System: goo.gl/ZAJF5g
3M Respirator: goo.gl/ZexRQd
3M Respirator Filters: goo.gl/92Ejh0
Ear Plugs: goo.gl/R937J7
RIDGID Stealth Force Impact Driver: goo.gl/K2jKgG
RIDGID Spindle Sander: goo.gl/NURw0c
RIDGID Cordless Trim Router: goo.gl/3jxBaz
IsoTunes Xtra: amzn.to/2NBu7zw
FastCap 16oz Glue Bot: goo.gl/X5aNZ0
Mirka 6" ROS Sander: amzn.to/2Eijyfv
Fuji Q5 5 Stage Turbine Spray System: goo.gl/ZAJF5g
3M Respirator: goo.gl/ZexRQd
3M Respirator Filters: goo.gl/92Ejh0
RIDGID Cordless Nailer: goo.gl/hFfGQw
RIDGID Cordless Trim Router: goo.gl/3jxBaz
#flattening #milling #flatten

[@Dingbat217]

Now tell your co-worker to finish both sides of the tabletop so it doesn't warp again. :-)

[@BillHartCooks.]

Yup.. Addressing the reason wood warps is important, You might have been able to fix it by laying a very slightly damp cloth on the underside over night and hitting it with an Iron in the morning. then finishing the underside.

[@DIYTyler]

Indeed, big reason it warped to begin with....and he made the project with wet wood.

[@DIYTyler]

Would be really surprised if this method would work. I've tried it with plywood before and it did absolutely nothing. Would be interesting to try though? Have you done it?

[@BillHartCooks.]

@@DIYTyler I did it once many years ago. It was a small night stand that had a top that was finished on one side. It had been in an old house in far West Texas for about 50 years and the top was curled or bowed. I would put a wet towel on the underside and then I put a heavy weight (Concrete Blocks) on it. It took about three weeks to get it back to reasonably flat. I didn't have enough material to try to Plane it. the top was a little less than 3/4 of in inch thick. I did the work for a great aunt. It was her table when she was a kid. once it the top was flattened I finished the underside and attached some thing cross grain battens. It was then moved to a new climate with much more humidity. It remained for years after that.

[@nevermindthebull0cks]

Could do with some bracing underneath as well. But yeah, finish all sides.

[@johncocking5363]

Tyler, Perhaps it bowed (Warped) is because it was not finished on bottom side. Sealing the wood all the way around has always given me better results. Breadboard ends is another good way. Great info you give. Thanks, John in Pensacola

[@DIYTyler]

It was stained but not sealed so I don't think that was why. I think it was glued up while SOAKING wet from the home center. Thanks for watching John!

[@69virgin1966]

Great video Tyler 👍. That's a question I've always wondered about. I have heard both are the right way, now that I've watched the results first hand I now know which is better. I checked out the link in the description of the video. I think it is a really good deal, but I just can't afford the price. I love my coffee and drink about 2-3 pots a day. I just can't see the justifcation in spending that much money on coffee . Don't get me wrong it looks like a great deal if I didn't drink as much as I do. Thanks for the invite though! A fellow Michigander. Thanks for sharing and God bless

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks for looking all the same Roy!

[@rickrudd]

You should flip that over, lay some wet towels on the center third, and place some moderate weights along the outer edge. It will expand and flatten out. Then clamp it down with pipe clamps and let it dry.

[@DIYTyler]

Have you done this? Curious because I have tried with plywood before and it did absolutely nothing.

[@rickrudd]

@@DIYTyler Tyler, I wrote out like a 500 word reply to this, that just disappeared when I accidentally refreshed the page. The short answer is yes - but only once, and with a thinner door center panel from a 125 year old armoire. It cupped so badly it popped out of the frame. I drilled out the dowels and took the frame apart, flattened the panel, let it dry while weighted for about a week, then put it all back together. It has held up since. It is not an apples to apples with what you're doing, and I am an amateur vs your experience level, but If I were you I might consider trying it...

[@trevhaydon5090]

Great Video Tyler. Thank you for taking the time to make the video and share it with us. Greatly appreciated. All the best from North London UK.

[@Rebel1280]

I know this is an old video but i wonder if adding a c-channel would also work.

[@Jasonsdesignshop]

Thanks Tyler. I milled lots of cherry wood the last two years and now wanting to make cool projects I am finding most of the thinner slabs have some twisting. If I want to keep them long I’ll have to use your technique.

[@Sfadjf]

You are an excellent woodworker Tyler. I always learn helpful tips from your videos.

[@DIYTyler]

Glad to hear Troy, thanks for watching!

[@thesplinteredfinger]

That’s where all that engineering logic pays off. I totally agree with the steps you took.

[@johnblazeindetroit]

Instead of taking 3/8" off of one board, you take 1/8" off of three boards. So if I'm ever caught in a situation similar to yours and I can only afford to lose 1/16", I can just cut the table top into 6 boards thereby spreading the 3/8 over 6 boards. NICE!

[@DIYTyler]

Pretty much! Thanks for watching Larry!

[@tooljunkie555]

I had same problem b4 and unfortunately I had to re RIP all the boards re joint/plane and re glue them in smaller sections then glue the 2 smaller sections with very light clamp pressure..it all worked out in the end.

[@greggardner2042]

Great video, very helpful as I am a beginner. I am making a desktop and my boards did not come out flat after gluing. This provided a great answer. Thank you!!

[@michaellinahan7740]

Tyler, Was the top unfinished on the underneath as this may be the reason it cupped as it looked like the original did have grain direction reversed or at least randomised. Tell your co worker to finish both sides next time.

[@tommoores1531]

If finish on one side caused it to warp, won't it warp again since the finish is now gone and each side acclimates

[@DIYTyler]

I did tell him! He only stained so I don't think it was finish issue anyway....I think he glued up the panel with soaking wet wood. Thanks for watching!

[@backfliper151]

Thanks for this, i have a 16x1½inch maple slab with a half to 5/8 inch cupping which will definetly need this

[@BradsWorkbench]

Smart... I know I was one of the people that asked this and I appreciate u making this video

[@DIYTyler]

You were, hope it helped answer your question! Thanks for watching Brad!

[@BradsWorkbench]

Tyler G it was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again

[@KeithChastain-YouGotKeith]

Thanks for clarifying that 👍

[@ScottMProductions29]

Great vid as always Ever thought of investing in a domino or biscuit joiner for alignment purposes, makes life easier. Knee up the good work.

[@DIYTyler]

One day maybe! Thanks for watching man!

[@christofix]

What a great solution! I have learned someting from you.... Again! Greetings

[@DIYTyler]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@WatchMeDIYIt]

Nice! I didn’t even know this could be an issue, but now I know. Thanks, Tyler!

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks for watching!!

[@volt2515]

Thanks alot Tyler! Simple theory but didnt even consider doing this! I was so upset about my glue up, hope this works!

[@dangerssmokehouse]

How did it go?

[@22tadi]

i have same issue, thank you buddy for helping me out. i appreciate it!!

[@5001mick]

Thank you very much . I have a table top that I guess i tightened the clamps too much but used cowls also but still curved bad only 1 maybe 2 sections. I would have done the wrong thing to fix it. Thanks for the help!!!!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great work Tyler! Thank you for sharing the video with us.👌😎👍JP

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks JP!!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Your very welcome Tyler! Have a great week!😎

[@gottabighit1]

I’m being lazy … Tyler, do you have a vid showing how you built your woodworking table/bench??

[@leonieburford3571]

Is there a reason why you didn't use biscuits when you joined the timber again, with only glue?

[@scottss213]

Doesn't flattening with a planer just compress then expand back after the wood leaves the roller? I know flattening with a jointer takes the cup out but you need a large jointer

[@JkCanvas]

Great video and DIYTyler Tip of the week. 👍🏻

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks Will!

[@dennisdownes9319]

Great video! It must be even better for you if you can hand the table back to your co-worker and tell him to do the final / sand/ prep work/finish.............kind of like having shop elves! DD

[@DIYTyler]

I did run the sander over it but gave it back to him for finishing! Thanks for watching Dennis!

[@skitahoe9]

Tyler, can you do a video of demonstrating this method with a live edge slab?

[@bobt2522]

Great video! Wife before coffee does not equal Happy Wife.

[@DIYTyler]

Indeed....me before coffee isn't good either! Thanks for watching Bob!

[@AaronKarp]

How are you able to get a flat top running through the planer without jointing one face first? Is the lumber just thick/dense enough that it doesn't get squashed down by the rollers?

[@carmandr24]

Great well described video! Thanks for the tips

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks Dan!

[@lurkingcorsa10]

wht about the cupping problem of this wood

[@JohnSmith-qc6bq]

Hello Mr. Tyler, thanks for sharing this information. Very helpful. New subscriber

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks John! Welcome!

[@briannelson605]

I've generally planed first so I avoid snipe on the final length piece. But those are generally boards and not coming from a large panel like that.

[@mlindholm]

You can cut down some sacrificial runners the same height as the workpiece being planed, and feed them in first, then again at the tail, to keep the rollers parallel. The runners will catch the snipe instead of the workpiece.

[@DIYTyler]

Yup, a good point as well! If I am really worried about snipe I cut my pieces longer than needed and trim the snipe off later. This planer is pretty good about very minimal snipe though. Lucky. Thanks for watching!

[@garrydye2394]

how did you run it through the planer with the other side not being flat? I didn't see you joint the other side first and I don't think you have a jointer that large so you ran it through planer with a slightly bowed board???

[@mikelee5874]

How could you have gotten them flat with out face jointing before planing??

[@sandrajohnson5244]

Would you recommend biscuit jointing when assemblying that table top back together?

[@FredMcIntyre]

Thanks for the advice Tyler! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks Fred!!

[@markcowijo3302]

lastime i put kinda heavy item on it at 3 spot in middle and it back to normal again. is it ok like that?

[@paulmartinez7633]

What kind of joiner is that

[@chriswaldron2617]

You need the gullet of the blade over any stock you’re cutting.

[@jorgeherrera3554]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks Jorge!

[@tayk385]

Thanks that is good to know.

[@gse6458]

I need more Clamps.

[@dr2377]

His fear for the blade makes me nervous lol

[@michaelklass2985]

Nice workshop Tyler, love the dust collection ductwork.

[@bill-chichi9701]

Courious, no biscuits between boards?

[@MrHarleythedevil]

Unnecessary when gluing long grain to long grain. The glue joint will be as strong as the timber itself, if not stronger.

[@DIYTyler]

Like MrHarley said, really no need. Thanks for watching!

[@andrewjohn7952]

What’s your day job Taylor?? Love your videos. Great job

[@tooljunkie555]

I Commented b4 watchimg..lol u had same idea as me .great minds think alike.👍👍

[@DIYTyler]

Seems like the best way to fix the issue!

[@thedodsons38]

Can this be done on big box lumber? Bought 2x12 for a top and noticed one is bowed at the end of it. Any help will be appreciated.

[@rico1319]

Always great to watch your videos! Thanks a lot! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks Rico, appreciate you watching!

[@50plymouths]

Why did you not put dowels/biskets/domino the joints that you glued together?? I would have thought doing that would give a stronger joint and strengthen the table...

[@dj-bn1fj]

Today's glue will be strong enough as you will break the wood before the joint if you glue up is done correct.

[@DIYTyler]

Like Daryl said, really no need. That hardware helps with alignment more than anything. Thanks for watching!

[@mikeinpenna]

I noticed you had a Rigid planer. I have been looking to purchase my first planer. Everyone has the Dewalt planer. I have a hard time justifying the cost. You have a great shop, and I have been watching your videos. Do you have good results with that planer, I am only a hobbyist and do not feel I need to spend that much money on a tool. What are your thoughts?

[@DanielJAudette]

how much did you loose across the width of the table?

[@kamikazeari]

Would using a handheld electric planer and targetting the ends not be a solution instead of cutting them in small pieces?

[@DIYTyler]

Not following what you're thinking. Need to cut it into smaller pieces so you don't have to plane off so much material in the middle.

[@rchavez5056]

Great tip.

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks!!

[@grobertson2008]

Hi I have a question, I’ve built a barn door out of 1x6 pine (it was dry). I used pocket holes to join together. I used 1x6’s to trim out the front. About 5 days after installing on rails it gas bowed significantly. Any idea how to prevent, and do you think it could be repaired, or should I start over. Thanks.

[@paulalbright1079]

Hey Tyler, love your channel. I have a table question for you. I'm building a 8 1!2 ft long farm house table and when it is laying flat, it has a twist long ways. How can I straighten that out. Do I need a piece of wood length wise on both sides to help flatten? Any help wood bee greatly appreciated.

[@samuelroberts334]

Great tip!!! Thanks, it helped me!!!

[@DIYTyler]

Good to hear, thanks for watching!

[@Cynyr]

Tyler, you missed a tool in your list! what is the coffee grinder you used, and do you like it? will it grind a measured amount of coffee and stop automatically?

[@DIYTyler]

YES! We do like it, set the amount of cups, select grind weight and go. Very happy with this unit, Mr Coffee brand, although our model is not made anymore and the replacement doesn't look so good.

[@williambranham6249]

Tyler G: I enjoy your practical videos. I need to know why the thickness planer rollers don't force the board to flatness, preventing the convex surface from being milled away. Are the rollers not powerful enough to do this? I have seen videos in which a cupped board is shimmed before running through the planer or run over a jointer to prevent this. Have you ever heard of this or ever needed to do this in extreme cases?

[@DIYTyler]

The planer certainly could force the bow out. I took a very light pass to prevent that from happening. A planer sled with shims would be a good alternative, or a big jointer!

[@kamikazeari]

I am also wondering this.. recently I had to do something similar but when I planed the boards, the bows did not disappear. How did you manage to fix the bow just by planing?

[@Onewheelsquad]

@@kamikazeari take smaller passes.

[@st0ppal]

Love the new logo! :)

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks, me too!

[@dougdiplacido2406]

Thanks for the great tip-Just wondering what type of work you do?

[@DIYTyler]

Engineer

[@David_K_pi]

@@DIYTyler - Mechanical, electrical, or civil? In other words, do you design bombs, guidance systems, or targets? 😁 Old joke. Sorry!

[@jondunsmore2121]

Dig the new logo!

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks man! Me too!

[@Antweak83]

Will this work with 3/4 inch plywood?

[@athenaharmon6301]

What wood planer do you use?

[@paulgargan6134]

Would adding bisquits be stronger?

[@williambranham6249]

The current wisdom is that biscuits help to align the boards for easier glue up but does not add substantial strength.

[@DIYTyler]

As Will said, short answer is no...wood glue is plenty strong!

[@creaturedomes9364]

Cool

[@keithbaker5042]

Nice Jod!!!

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks Keith!

[@frankfinch9404]

I was under the impression that you can't remove the cupping on a planer because the rollers flatten the board during the planing process, but when the piece clears the rollers, the cup is back. Wouldn't you have to shim the piece before running it through the planer ?

[@davo7512]

The planer does a decent job but it just won’t be perfect like the jointer

[@ackmartin60]

To do it right it should be jointed and then planned. @@davo7512

[@gregorylondos534]

Nice video judging by what I have watched I would have gone afk the easy snd done it in five pieces rather that the three you end up doing a little more work but I bet if would have been even greater results... Greg

[@DIYTyler]

I disagree but you can do what you want! Thanks for watching Greg!

[@TempleThomas]

Is this top totally supported as the finished product ? Wondering why not biscuits, dowels, or (dare I say) dominos ? Wouldn't that add more strength on larger piece like this ?

[@Cynyr]

minimal. Try gluing up some scrap edgegrain to edgegrain. You'll break the board before the glue seam. Generally dominoes/dowels/biscuits are used to help with alignment during the glue up of these.

[@TempleThomas]

Okay good point !

[@DIYTyler]

Like Andrew said, really no reason for any other hardware. More for alignment than strength. And yes, the top is going on a metal workbench so there is no support needed.

[@juanheredia9829]

Sweet👍

[@FataFitLife]

Do you have an email that I can ask you a question?

[@hogue3666]

Cut and then flatten. Because, your work piece is just too damn big otherwise. That's easy to remember. Thanks!

[@DIYTyler]

Good motto! Thanks for watching Chris.

[@richardjefferson2445]

👍

[@TheAlogoc]

Router sled.

[@bhupindersingh8831]

Hello bro I'm carpainter from India ( Punjab) good videos but working saim rule

[@ScottMProductions29]

Thats cool how many cars have you painted😉

[@DIYTyler]

Thanks man!

[@thetruth5210]

Great video, really informative, but after asking us to thumbs up your content you have to give us 5 to 10 second afterwards. Some of us are watching on Apple TV have no way to thumb up something after the video is done. I don’t know what is more hurtful to your analytics: not getting a like or having someone stop watching the video after thumbing it up their second time through???

[@DIYTyler]

Interesting, never knew that. Well I would hope my loyal fans thumbs up the video right away like I do. That is why we have subscribers, to help us get the video out!

[@thetruth5210]

Tyler G I don’t like anything without watching or listening to it first. I am a huge U2 fan, if you were to show up on my job sites it is a lock that you would hear something from “The Unforgettable Fire”, “The Joshua Tree” or “Rattle and Hum”, but if I could remove the FREE “Songs of Innocence” from my iTunes I would do so in a heartbeat! Sorry if that disappoints.

[@jershaus]

Theres an easier way!

[@kamikazeari]

?

[@cejkwo100]

I would of ran that board bow side down on table saw. Much safer

[@DIYTyler]

Then it falls and pinches you blade...doesn't sound better to me? (Not that wither way is great.)

[@georgedavall9449]

To be, or not to be….

[@giovannipetitti1588]

👍👏👏👏👏👏👏🇮🇹💓