Good deal on oak? How much do I need?

Is it quartersawn? Are you able to take pictures of it?

-- James, Bluffton, IN

I’ve seen some punk white oak and some great white oak. The price is ok if the wood is dried. *I want to get it for 1.00 BD ft if it’s still grean and I have to dry it.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

The price is reasonable alright. Especially, as Karson says, it’s dry. And, yes, white oak is good wood, quarter sawn or otherwise. But, you should see it and see how much of it is actually usable because what you cannot use increases your price per board foot. If only half is worth using, then your actual price shoots to almost $4 a foot which is a bit steep in my neck of the woods.

-- Working at Woodworking www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

White oak, plain or quarter sawn is a nice looking wood that works well with hand and machine tools, as well as finishes well. Quartersawn white oak is in my top three, based on my taste. With a simple clear finish, it’s got a nice, creamy color. Dyed and stained, it has a potential range of different looks that few species can match.

As for the deal, it could be OK, but know the following: Here in Connecticut, properly professionally dried, plain sawn white oak is ~ $3.50 – 3.75 bd/ft. for FAS (Firsts and Seconds) grade. FAS white oak is at least 83% clear on one side, at least 6” wide, and at least 8 feet long. Your description sounds like it may be barely #1 common, possibly less, and might not be a great deal at $1.95. 4 foot boards definitely do not meet the grades you see advertised at lumber dealers.

I would most definitely take a look, but I wouldn’t be too excited before I saw it.

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I think the 4’ length may create a lot of waste, and leaves your options limited.

Listen to cessna barry -

Sounds good if it’s dry

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

I haven’t seen it, it’s about 60 miles away. I just saw the ad and am waiting to hear back from the seller. What should I look for to determine if the wood is usable. I’ve pretty much only worked with pine dimensional lumber, I’ve never dealt with rough sawn lumber, so this is a first for me. I’ve never bought wood anywhere except the big blue and orange stores.

Please show me the way.

-- Lee Cortez, South Louisiana

My first dive into roughsawn wood was with 500 bf of white oak that I bought on fleabay for 80 cents a foot. It was 1 common, 4/4, random width and all 10’. That price isn’t bad as long as it is a decent grade, AND hasn’t been dried too fast. White oak that has been kiln dried too fast will have an unbelievably high amount of tension in it when ripping it.

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL

The ad says it is prime grade, but that doesn’t mean it is.

Here is a link to the ad with a picture.

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/mat/1260930580.html

-- Lee Cortez, South Louisiana

From the looks of the pic, it appears to be mainly clear which is a plus. As someone else said, the 4’ lengths will probably result in a lot of waste. It also says best offer – I’d offer less for sure. What would be your bf cost from a portable milll service, or lumber yard?

From the local mill, oak is 3.45/ bf; I think squared on on side and not planed. I initially wanted to use cherry because my wife likes furniture stained dark brownish red, and all of our furniture is finished like that. So whatever I build will also be finished that way. Today I saw this ad for cherry. How does it look.

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/mat/1262968213.html

Is cherry a good option for looks and durability for a kids table and chairs and bunk beds. My hope is to build these items for my kids then my grandchildren when use them as well.

How much would I need for six chairs and a 30×45 in table? About 75 bf plus a little more for waste?

-- Lee Cortez, South Louisiana

thats actually not cherry. its jatoba which is sometimes called brazilian cherry

Correction
The local mill has 4/4 red oak two sides planed and a third squared ( is this S2S) for $3.45/bf. I think this maybe the better route as I don’t have a planer, although I want to purchase one. So it will be quicker and easier to complete the project, which will be my first piece of furniture for the house. But it sounds like I’m passing up a good deal on the white oak. What would you do?

-- Lee Cortez, South Louisiana

It’s time to put my 2 cents in. First of all…great advice from all. Second…I think you have to decide what you want to do with that…then see if it is a good deal.

I have usually found that non dimensional is great for a project that has alot of exposed area….but there is a cost…and that is your processing time. But, for this time you get a much better material to work with…and much easier to get good fitting pieces.

Also, as said above, you have to take in to account the waste ratio. I have seen some up to 75% and then that $1.00 a b.f. stinks. Simple math makes the price for b.f. go up for the waste.

Now if you don’t have at least a planer…forget it for now…or if one is in your budget…it might be a good time to get one. Ive seen the steel city planer on sale at around $499 or so and that isn’t a bad deal…there are cheaper ones….but be careful as sometimes you get what you pay for…i.e. tables that don’t line up…cutters that are too brittle and break…etc. Also, it would be a good thing to have a jointer to square off the sides and such…of course there is a debate about which tool is more useful…I kind of lean toward a jonter or a combo…planer/jointer.

Anyway thats my 2 cents…

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

yeah if you dont have a planer or you are not well versed in using hand planes i think you are pretty much stuck with buying S4S material at a much higher price point. like reggie said if you are planning on building anymore furniture in the future you will be better off getting a planer so you can use rough wood like the stuff you posted

The wood looks pretty good, but without a jointer and planer, or lots of skill and time, you’ve got a tough row to hoe.

I’d go for the $3.45 red oak.

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