Processing parts for project

[bmuir1616]

I am about to build two, four-foot photo rails for our den from eight-foot lengths of lumber.

Basically the rails are ripped 1x4s with mouldings attached.

Question: when jointing the edge of the ripped 1x4 on the jointer, do you joint the eight-foot board and cut it to length later or cut it down to two four-foot pieces and joint each of those?

Thanks for the help.

Bill

[LCHIEN]

in this case i think it doen't matter much technically.
I'd cut it into 2, 4-ft sections and joint them individually, just for ease of handling.

Do it in one piece for when you will have finished little sections too short to joint safely (i.e. when pieces will be less than a foot or two)

[LarryG]

+1 on Loring's answer.

Actually -- and this is a little beyond the scope of your question, admittedly -- my specific sequence would be to cut two pieces a few inches longer than I needed, to ward against the possibility of getting a little snipe from the jointer. Then attach the mouldings. Then trim the finished assemblies on both ends to bring them to their final length.

[cabinetman]

If the widths are critical, do one long board at once, or, do the same passes to each of the four footers.
.

[cgallery]

Actually, there IS a correct way to do this.

You cut the board in half (two four foot pieces), then joint the edges.

Reason #1: If the board has a bow in it, you'll reduce the bow when you cut the board in half, and have less material to remove when jointing.

Reason #2: 4' boards are easier to handle on shorter jointers.