Good morning Friends,

What would be five defects in lumber that we should avoid by all means possible?

Nails! All metal, actually.

Splits,shakes

loose knots

twists and cups, though they can be fixed, but I avoid them when I can.

pitch pockets, loose knots, splits, cracks and pithy areas

Cupping, bowing, twists, splits, and bugs.    Loose knots i can work around.    Metal I find all the time, and will also work around it.    Some over the other defects listed here CAN be worked around by use of the tablesaw to get "clear" of them.

Good Morning Friends,

Bingo, you fellows have hit the head on the nail and this is one good reason why you should be more choosy when buying your lumber. Check each board as if it were gold and it will eliminate going back to the lumber yard because of the defects you all mentioned.