Pro tip: Not all boards in the stack at the lumber yard are created equal. Check each one to make sure it’s straight and without cracks or serious blemishes.
@whoatowow how right you are... I actually worked for a lumber yard one summer and honestly I learned so much that I would have never thought about. It is probably why I don't mind doing the odd fix it up / building projects around my house.
@ericmwalk We had to sort through about 40 boards to get just eight decent green-treated 8ft 2x8s. About a dozen to get two OKish 12ft 2x6s. Makes me wonder what poor souls are doing with all of that blemished wood.
@whoatowow I know after most got picked though at the place I worked we then cut it down to other sizes that were better. Then there were others that we kind of scrapped and let people buy at a big discount as you never know when you need some random board but doesn't need to be straight.
@whoatowow In fairness to the lumber yard, wood bends over time. It was certainly dead straight when milled, and was probably still straight when stacked. If it sits for a long time, especially as weather changes, it will warp and twist.