Carpentry and Woodworking - Warped cabinet door

I made some cabinet doors for an entertainment center I built and for some reason a couple of the doors are slightly warped. They are square, but when they are mounted one of the non-hinge side corners sticks out so it doesn't close flush. Is there a good way (any way) to fix this? I have them clamped down to a flat surface hoping that in time they will straighten out. Should I wet the wood to make it change shape easier?

If you remember the amount of warpage you had, place a wedge or shim under your clampdown at opposite corners from where the warpage is. That way you are hyper warping it back in shape. Don't wet it just yet. Lets see if this over clamping works first.

hi jl,

it would be helpful to have more information about the doors. How are the doors constructed - are they solid doors? veneer? raised panel? What species of wood? How are the doors finished? what is the thickness of the wood? What was the moisture level of the wood?

To be honest, it may be best to make a new door rather than attempt to straighten the old one. In many cases, warps cannot be permanently fixed because of the way the grain runs in relation to how it was milled, and the moisture level when it was cut. This is especially true for wood that is already planned to thickness and jointed in some fashion.

While it's possible clamping may help, it is not probable. Some wood can be "tempered" for warp but it requires raising the moisture of the wood. This is difficult to do if the wood is finished.

I suggest making a new door. :) It will take less time and you will probably be happier with the results.

best wishes.

Rick