Selecting Lumber for Table or Desk Legs

If you are using square legs then you will want to grain to run from corner to the opposite one. (diagonal)

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Thanks Gary … I didn’t know about the diagonal grain orientation. I’m happy I stumbled onto this blog today !

-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com

In Response to GaryK…. Yes. They are going to be square with a taper on two sides starting approx 1/3 down the length from the top of the leg. I realize that classic shaker would have turned legs more often than not; But, I neither have the skill with a lathe nor own one.

Thanks for the response! One of the problems we face here in Florida is that there are VERY few places were you can go pick out you hardwood lumber. Unless of course you consider Home Depot a lumber supplier (perish the thought!) So, if i were ordering this from an online retailer as I have in the past; What would I ask for? Plain Sawn, Rift Cut, Quarter Sawn?

Any Suggestions? It’s these type of nagging questions that have a habit of cementing me in place when trying to get a project started.

-- Chris

Gary can you elaborate? I would think that the grain should run from top to bottom. The straighter the grain the stronger, correct? What would be the benefit of the grain running diagonal? Thanks!

-- Jesus is Lord!

It would have to be plain sawn away from the center of the tree.

Just explain to them what you are looking for and it should be easy enough for them to accomodate you.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

So.. I would rip the legs from either edge of the board were the grain sweeps upward. Correct?

-- Chris

Try this. Cut a square hole in a piece of paper the size of your leg. Hold it over the end of the board and rotate until the grain pattern you want appears, then mark the square on the wood.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Lots of good info here. I guess, like Dan, I never thought much about the orientation of the growth rings on the end of the legs. I usually just look for straight grain up and down with minimal amounts of curl or swirl. I have used knotty Alder and turned across the knots. It didn’t seem to have any efect on the strength and kind of looked neat. Thanks for the tip, Gary.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

oscorner – You do want grain running from top to bottom and straight. It’s like quarter sawn at a 45 degree angle. All four sides will have straight grain.

When I say diagonal I mean looking at the end grain. Selecting based on that will prevent any warping
due to humidty since all four sides of the leg will show the same grain pattern and take in moisture
at the same rate.

I hope this is a little clearer.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Chris,

Where in Florida are you?

There are a few places where you can get hardwoods, but few of them are local. You do have a couple of dandy woods that could be used however.

What exactly are you looking/hoping for?

-- Dean, Missouri

Dean,

I am in Jacksonville.. I am looking for a decent price on white oak. THe only thing available locally is $11.00 BF

-- Chris

Great tip, Gary. Would this not also help with achieve ray fleck on QS white oak?

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Douglas – I’m not sure about the fleck on oak. I only use oak for drawer sides.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input. Just picked up 12BF White Oak at half the usual cost. After it acclimates I can get started and I will try to remember to post some pictures.

-- Chris