Spruce for a homemade jointer

I’m pretty sure Douglas Fir would be a suitable substitute. You could buy a Doug fir 4×4

A big box store probably won’t have what you’re looking for… there’s probably a mill or outlet close by that would have it though. Try http://www.woodfinder.com/

Spruce, hemlock and fir are sold as “white wood” or
“hem-fir” in many areas. The working characteristics
of the included woods are similar.

Just try to get something dry and relatively straight-grained
and free of all but the smallest knots. It should behave
predictably then.

2×4 Studs are 6/4 – it means 1 1/2” thick finished dimension.

Spruce is softwood. Pine tends to be easier to work
because it doesn’t splinter as much but it is less tough
too, imo. I’m generalizing lots here because pine and
spruce are similar. We use spruce in making guitar tops,
for example, because it is stiff and tough in small
thicknesses so it can be worked to thin, lightweight
panels and still have a lot of structural strength.

I might use douglas fir then. Thanks everyone. Any thought on using maple?

Studs are 6/4.

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You could use maple, But you must be willing enough to fork out that cold hard cash :P

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Matthias Wandel’s jointer, but it calls for 6/4 spruce

Yeah, I’m pretty certain he’s just using SPF 2×4/6/8s.

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Well if a 2×4 is 6/4, I would like some room to be able to square the edges (as they come rounded) so 2/4’s wouldn’t be big enough. i can get maple for the same price as poplar and i would only really heed one board. I still can’t decide though.

Use a 2×6 and trim off the rounded edges or a 2×8 and rip 2 pieces from it.

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