Found a cheap way to fix bowed studs without replacing them

Picked up a bunch of 2x4s from the big box store in Denver last week and half of them had a slight bow. Normally I'd just set them aside or try to force them straight, but a buddy told me to try kerf cutting the concave side on the table saw. Made a few cuts about halfway through right where the bow was worst, then clamped it straight and ran a bead of glue in the kerfs. Let it sit overnight and it came out dead straight the next morning. Saved me a trip back to the store and about $30 in returns. Has anyone else done this for longer runs like top plates?

3 comments

3 Comments

jennybailey3d ago

Honestly, kerf cutting works great for smaller studs but for longer runs like top plates I'd be careful. The glue line can still be a weak point if the bow is really bad. I've had them crack again after a few months in a load bearing wall so I only use this method for non structural stuff now.

miaprice3d ago

Yes! That exact thing happened to me with a top plate on a shed I was building a couple years back. I kerf cut it, glued it, clamped it overnight - looked perfect the next morning. But then three months later, right in the middle of summer when the humidity shifted, the whole thing cracked right along that glue line. Now I only do the kerf trick for stuff like blocking or nailers where there's zero load. For anything structural I just eat the loss and get a straight board, even if it means another trip to the store. That little bit of peace of mind is worth more than $30 in returns, you know?

ward.diana2d ago

Jump on what Mia said about humidity shifts because that's exactly what wrecked my fix too. I tried the kerf trick on a garage header and it held through winter but split the second summer hit with that moisture in the air. Now I just figure the extra $30 is cheaper than having to tear out a cracked stud later.