I will be building four "step stools" for my wife to give for presents this winter. She will be painting each stool and placing creative stencils on each stool based on who will receive the stool. Since she is painting the stools, I chose popular for the wood. The boards are S4S - 4" x 3/4" - got from the local Home Depot. In keeping with the proto type, I would like the stock to be 5/8" thick. I have access to a 36" planer and could either glue up the 15" x 17" "panels"(read sides) and run them through the planer or could cut each board to length, run them through the joiner, then planer, and then glue up. My question is: Which is better OR is there a difference and any knowledge associated with it. Thanks in advance.
Marshall