Face frame material source?

[Mark Rios]

In a post awhile ago, someone mentioned buying oak t&g flooring and using it for face frame material. Has anyone got any more information on this? Is it cheaper (hopefully :D )? How would it be better (or not) than buying oak by the board foot and milling it like normal. I don't have a jointer though and I would like it if the material was already flat.;)

[Jamie Buxton]

T&G flooring has the tongue and the groove milled into two edges, and generally has relief channels milled in the back. You'd certainly need to rip the T and G off. The relief channels constrain the width you can mill it to, and interfere with fastening it to the carcass. If you had a bunch of free flooring, it might be worthwhile to try to make face frame material from it. However, if you have to buy it, you'd be better off buying regular lumber.

[Steve Clardy]

Most cabinet lumber suppliers stock oak and maple face material.
Surfaced to 25/32, ripped to 1.2-2-2.5 widhs.
Priced by the lineal foot. 2.5 oak costs me around .085 foot.