Northwest Sawyer: The Most Expensive Mistake Woodworkers Make

After eight years of milling lumber, Jason “Northwest Sawyer” has learned one lesson the hard way: moisture content matters. In this video, Jason explains how moisture affects wood movement, why boards shrink as they dry, and how using lumber before it’s ready can lead to costly project failures. Whether you’re a woodworker, furniture maker, wood turner, or sawmill operator, understanding moisture content is essential for producing stable, high-quality work.

As Jason explains, wood will always respond to its environment. While you can’t completely stop wood movement, you can dramatically reduce the risks by understanding moisture content and measuring it before you build.

Whether you’re milling lumber, building furniture, turning bowls, or crafting custom woodworking projects, this video highlights why moisture measurement is one of the most important steps in the entire process.