Bowed Wood Help

[David Less]

Hi,

I bought a pc of walnut for some legs I need to make for some plant stands. The wood has a slight bow in it that I'd like to straighten. The only problem is that there isn't enough thickness for face jointing. Is there another method by wetting on side and drying? The legs are small, being about 3/4" thick X 1 1/2" x 30"

Thanks for any help,

David

[Frank Drew]

David,

In my experience there's no reliable way to straighten (and, importantly, keep straight) a piece of wood that's taken on a twist or bend or other warp.

Perhaps others have a successful method.

[Chip Lindley]

Why not just redesign your legs with a slight splay to the outside. Nobody will know the difference except you.

Any attempt to straighten bowed lumber other than resawing and regluing the mirrored halves is *iffy* at best. That is what jointers do best.