milling rough timbers

[Michael Handrinos]

I'm going to start milling my own lumber and have a question. I know you thickness wood to about 1/8th over and wait for it to acclimate. Say if I wanted 7/8 th's. what thickness would I start with? 4/4, 5/4? Is there a rough rule of thumb you use?

Thanks

Mike

[Steve Clardy]

4/4 is normally milled 1 1/8th

5/4 is 1 1/4

Always go a 1/4 to 3/8th over.

[Jim Becker]

To your question, if your boards are pretty true to start, you can often get 7/8" finished from 4/4 stock, especially if you componetize. If your raw material is, um...less cooperative...you might need to start with 5/4 to have enough leeway to get it flat before you thickness. Cutting slightly over as you and Steve mention is pretty much the right thing to do. You'll get a little shrinkage during drying (the amount depends upon how it's cut out of the log) and it's better to have some leeway in the end.

[Michael Handrinos]

Thanks guys