Title: Struggling to keep walls straight when building with lumber
- I’ve run into the same issue, even with “premium” SPF.
- String line’s my go-to, but lasers help when you’re solo or dealing with longer runs.
- Had a job last year where three studs looked fine at the yard, but once up, they bowed like bananas.
- Honestly, I don’t trust visual checks alone anymore—too many surprises after sheathing goes on.
- If you’re not already, try checking crown direction and flipping as needed. It’s tedious but saves headaches later.
Title: Struggling to keep walls straight when building with lumber
Man, I feel this. I’m always trying to keep costs down, so I usually end up picking through the “value” pile at the yard, and it’s a gamble every time. Sometimes I wonder if the premium stuff is even worth it, since like you said, even that bows or twists once it’s up. Is there really a big difference, or is it just luck of the draw?
I’ve tried string lines too, but honestly, half the time I’m tripping over them or my dog decides they’re a new toy. Lasers sound fancy—are they actually worth the investment if you’re only doing a couple projects a year? Or is there a budget-friendly version that does the trick?
The crown direction thing… yeah, that’s one of those steps I always think about skipping when I’m tired, but then regret later. It’s wild how much difference it makes. Do you guys ever just get fed up and use shims to cheat things back into place after sheathing? Or is that just asking for trouble down the line?
I’ve also heard some folks say to let the lumber sit at your site for a few days before building so it can “acclimate.” Not sure if that’s legit or just one of those old-school myths. Anyone actually notice a difference doing that? Or am I better off just crossing my fingers and hoping for straight walls?
Honestly, sometimes I think drywall mud was invented just to hide all these little sins...
