Buying Lumber (Noob question)

[LarryG]

quote:Originally posted by sawsall

do I really need s4s for molding? the top edge will be routed, and the bottom edge will be hidden by a quarter round molding..any thoughts?

Strictly speaking, no. The top edge will need to be reasonably straight and true in order to get a satisfactory job with the router, using either a piloted bit (guide bearing that runs along the board's edge) or a router table (board's edge runs along the fence), but you could do this with a table saw; it wouldn't have to be jointer-smooth, as when gluing boards up edge to edge. The bottom edge could also be left semi-rough since the QR will cover it.

But with rough lumber, using a table saw to rip these edges straight enough to profile with the router (top) or sit against the floor (bottom) could easily cost you 10% or more of your board footage to this operation alone. It just all depends on how "rough" your rough lumber truly is.

[Ken Weaver]

Larry -
Good on ya for your patience and tutorial. I enjoyed reading your take on what I knew already, but its like a refresher course. Thanks!

[sawsall]

Thanks for everyones help. Last night I went and bought the S4S from HD, but I only bought enough for 2 window sills in my kitchen. When I go to get the quantity of it I will be hitting the lumber yards in my area and also I found a sawmill within 1 hour of me. I will also try there to see what is up with that. Thanks all for your help. I truly have a better understanding of it all now.

I also found that the longer the single piece length the more expensive it is per foot. I dug out 2 6 foot pieces yesterday for my window ledges, and found it to be about 6 dollars cheaper than a single piece 12 footer.

Thanks again for everyones help!

Dan

[LCHIEN]

quote:Originally posted by sawsall

...
I also found that the longer the single piece length the more expensive it is per foot. I dug out 2 6 foot pieces yesterday for my window ledges, and found it to be about 6 dollars cheaper than a single piece 12 footer.

Thanks again for everyones help!

Dan

That's true. If you don't need long, clear pieces you can get #1 or #2 grade and cut out the knots and end up with pieces 12-24" long...
good if you are building jewelry boxes, bad if you are doing molding...

[crokett]

quote:Originally posted by Kristofor

I think you've got a math typo there, if you're using inches for all of the dimensions then it's devide by 144 not 12.

You're right, which is why every time I figure BF, I have to redo it and divide by 144 and not 12.

[padboy]

This is a reply to Sawzall's earlier posts about buying lumber. I highly recommend www.barndoorlumber.com They will be happy to answer any questions and sell him the lumber he requires.