I'm about to embark on a woodworking project and I'm excited to visit a local lumberyard for some hardwood instead of the standard boards from big box stores. My project calls for 1"x3" boards, which I know are usually 3/4" thick. However, the lumberyard sells 4/4 boards, meaning I'll need to reduce the thickness. While I have a thickness planer, I'm worried about wasting 1/4" of hardwood as sawdust. I don't own a bandsaw, and I'm not sure my table saw can handle cutting a 4" board across its width. What do you all suggest as the best method for making this cut while preserving that extra thickness?
3 Answers
For accurate cuts of that thin, a powerful bandsaw is the best bet. If not, you can get decent results by resawing with a table saw. Just make sure you have two flat edges for stability, and raise the blade gradually. If there’s a small sliver holding the pieces together at the end, you can always finish it off with a handsaw!
Keep in mind, lumber is sold in rough dimensions. A 4/4 board starts at an inch thick from the mill, usually planed to around 3/4". So when you buy it, even if it's listed as 4/4, expect it to be around 3/4" after surfacing. If it's rough cut, the final thickness might be a bit different.
Using a thickness planer is a solid approach for keeping things even! However, with a bandsaw, the blade could sway, which might lead to an uneven cut. Losing 1/4" isn’t the end of the world; it’s common to start with a larger piece and cut it down to size for your needs.
Good point! Waste is part of it, and this is how a lot of lumber is processed before it hits the shelves.