warping

[Newbie]

I just started chip carving last week. I haven't made anything yet but I've been practicing on a piece of 3" x 1/2" x 18" basswood I got from the local Woodcraft store. When I started, it was perfectly flat. Well now that I've practiced on both sides, I've got a bow in the board. It's not that big of a deal on this piece since it's nothing but practice. However, how can I prevent this from happening in the future on actual work pieces? Thanks.

[Dagwood]

im not gona bash wood craft store cause they have some great products but i would if i purchased something from them that wasnt to snuff tell them about it...there is tons of reasons it could happened ... main one is prob wasnt dryed properly... sorry about the warping.. good luck in the future i get my wood from these guys.. Heinecke Wood Products

[Newbie]

I got some 2"x2"x6" blocks from Heinecke for some woodspirit carving but I haven't started working with it yet. The plank I got from Woodcraft was just for practice so I'm not real worried about it. I practiced on both sides so I just figured it warped because I took away quite a bit of material. I was just wondering if this was normal.

[W. P. Hastings]

As above, I was not dry enough. Should test at no more than 6.5% moisture.
Buy quarter sawn lumber, ie; where the grain is no more than 45 Deg. to the face of the board.
Always keep the board in the hours/shop for at least 2 weeks before working it.
For wide plane carving and you but joint boards, alternate the angle of the grane and don't just edge clamp it, use end clamps (Under a board top and bottom) to keep the faces flat. Leave it for at least 24 hours. I use Titebond III. Good stuff.
Further questions, email me at wph5391@gmail.com. and GOOOOOOD LUUUUCCK!

[W. P. Hastings]

Buy a moisture meeter, not a cheap one! Bring the wood into the room where you will be working is for at least 2 weeks before starting the project.
Moisture should be no more than 7.0 Percent !
Try to buy quarter sawn lumber. That would be winterwood no more thatn 45 Deg to the face.
for large sign but joint using biscuts and I use Titebone III, Make sure to clamp the ends both top and bottom to make panel flat, as well as across the gule joints. 1 clamp for each bisuct. Make it tight. Alternate the grain in the board, one up and next down, etc.
Still have a problem, email me at wph5391@gmail.com
Good luck