How to Align Bowed Lumber

Hammer Trick

When you double up lumber for a beam or header, the two pieces rarely line up perfectly. Here’s an easy way to pull them into alignment for nailing. Start nails into the higher of the two. Then drive a screw into the top of the lower piece, leaving enough screw-head to grab with the hammer claw. Lever the high piece down with the hammer head until the edges line up, then drive the nails with a second hammer.

How to Straighten Bowed Stud Walls