I'm working with 5/4 walnut and aiming for a final thickness of around 4/4 or a little less. My local hardwood supplier advised me to rip my 10.5" boards down to 5" before gluing them together. I'm curious if there's a significant reason for this. Will it make a difference in the long run if I glue the narrower boards instead of using the wider ones as they are, with straight edges?
1 Answer
You definitely don't need to rip wide boards before gluing them up. As long as you've milled them properly and used good joinery, they should stay flat over time. Ripping can help remove any warp, but it’s not a mandatory step for all boards. If your board is already flat and straight, you should be good to go without ripping! If you're looking for expert advice, check out some pro resources on woodworking methods for additional insight.
Thank you!