warped luan plywood

[Arne]

I cut the walls out of luan plywood with 3 layers (just under 1/4" thick.)... it got a pretty good warp into it, enough so I have to weight it down to work on it....

I'm building my first wall a section at a time and keeping it level while the glue dries... not sure I can salvage it or not..

Is luan particularly susceptible to warping?.. this was not in the sun and was laid out flat on my work bench....

Anyway, have started to work on it to see what happens.. the other 3 sheets are laid on the floor trying to straighten them out.

[Jiminsav]

Arne, I used 3 ply luan on my projects and didn't have too much of a problem with warpage.

on a positive note, maybe the warp will help when you put it on a curved surface..

[Arne]

I found if I turn it over, I think I can get most of it out.. then the studs might finish it.. but it has all kinds of twists in it.. could be the weather.

So, I flipped it over and will see what it looks like in the a.m.... maybe I can catch it while it's almost straight./g/.

I'll take a pic tomorrow.

[Podunkfla]

Arne... I found the easiest (lazy guy's way) way to get the warp/bow out of plywood is to lay it out in the sun, crown side up, on the grass... It seems the humidity from the ground swells the tight side and the sun dries the swelled side. Works pretty good & fast most of the time.

[mikeschn]

What happens if you glue some sticks and insulation to the luan? That should straighten it out.

Mike...

[Arne]

The curl on the long edge is kind of remarkable, maybe 2 inches up, from about 1 foot in... I've never seen ply go like this so quickly.. we have had some hot weather, but the ply has been inside the garage (which may have been up to 100 degrees, come to thing of it). Last two days have been in the 90s.

I may try putting it out in the sun to see what happens... using weights, I can get one section straight at a time, but it makes for slow going on the build... I don't have that many heavy things.. may resort to water in 5 gallon buckets.

I'll give you an update after I work on it tomorrow.. and try to get a pic or two.

[Micro469]

Still got your receipt??? Take it back and get new ply. Any big box store will exchange it.... They know they sell crap to begin with.....

[Arne]

I don't think they would like the tear drop shape it has/g/... well, maybe.

[Arne]

I found out a 5 gallon bucket 1/2 filled with water makes a great weight to hold down warped plywood, as long as you don't go to the other end and "make an adjustment"... then it just makes a big mess.....

[pauld3]

we weighted ours down and once we installed it, you could not tell there was any warpage! Now that's a good word for our tear drop dictionary, "Warpage."

I had a pair of jeans that did this too when I washed them, found out later they were seconds...maybe your plywood wasn't the grade it was sold as...you know what I mean???
Lynn

[Arne]

P&L, I'm finding that once I get some wood glued down on it, it lies flat enough so I think when I glue the opposing skin on and weigh it down it should be okay...

I'm gluing one or 2 pieces per day, so hope the next wall goes quicker..

Nest time, I'm going to start with a piece with curl down on the edges instead of edges curled up... I think it will work better..

But, I am making progress.... albeit slowly.