Hi All,
I was wondering what other woodworkers out there did with regard to purchasing and dimensioning lumber. A lot of what I build from plans/magazines etc. requires a 3/4" thickness of wood. I have yet to pick up a 4/4 lumber that I have managed to get 3/4 thickness from.
My understanding is that 4/4 lumber is really 13/16. 3/4 lumber is
12/16 so I only have 1/16" of an inch to play with and by the time I'm done joining, planing etc. I can't get close. A lot of the 4/4 stock needs quite a bit of work to get it properly true and square even though it has already been planed on both sides.My rule of thumb is to buy 5/4 (or 8/4 and then resaw) from the lumber yard if I need to get a final dimension of 3/4. I buy 4/4 for anything that requires about 5/8 and thinner as a final dimension. Having to buy 5/4 limits the types of wood I can buy and buying 8/4 can get expensive.
Does anyone have any words of wisdom or advice - in case I'm missing something? Is it possible to purchase wood that hasn't been planed on both sides so I can actually buy it thicker and then join/plane it myself?
While I'm at it, does anyone have any recommendations as to suppliers around the SF Bay and maybe also online? I usually frequent Handloggers but am familar with McBeath (sp?) and a place in Alameda - White Bros maybe?
Thanks in advance
Mike