Replies

1. 
   tom77 | Sep 16, 2008 04:43pm | #1

   Jeremy,

   Start with 6/4 stock, not 8/4. You will waste much less material and save some money.

   Tom.

1. 
   jeremyillingworth | Sep 17, 2008 02:38am | #2

   Selection is limited here. Its either 4/4 or 8/4.jeremy

2. 
   brad805 | Sep 17, 2008 02:45am | #3

   Thats a lot of stock to plane off.  Might want to start with the bandsaw if you have one.  You could make up your own veneers for a future project.  Occasionally 5/4 stock shows up, but it is kinda rare and may not make 1 1/8".  6/4 is pretty common to find at a wholesaler, so you might want to check out some more places to save the time or talk to a small furniture shop as many will sell small quantities at slightly over their cost.

   Good luck

   Brad

1. 
   roqqytop | Sep 17, 2008 02:58am | #4

   I just made a large bookcase that surrounds my new 46" wall mounted plasma tv. Using red oak , I planed it to .885" for the sides, top & bottom. Its 110 x 78 x 12 1/4. Quite the bear to move into the house
   even without the 4 doors, top, & 12 shelves.
   IMO, 1 1/8" is overkill. Modify the plans and use 4/4.

3. 
   mapleman | Sep 17, 2008 04:27am | #5

   Jeremy,

   Screw the plans! The plans are a reference point to get you close. If the bookcase was not tall enough for your room, would you figure out a way to make it bigger, or settle with a shorter bookcase because that's what the plans call for?

   Seriously, 4/4 stock would be fine. Show us some pics when you finish.

   Lee

4. 
   joinerswork | Sep 17, 2008 06:15am | #6

   jeremy,

   If you must use 8/4 stock, and do not want to change the proportions of the design:  I'd suggest that you take the stock down to near finished thickness, (1 3/8") or so, however you want to do it, (planer, bandsaw).  Then let the mat'l rest overnight, or better, for a few days, on stickers, to re-acclimate.  It will probably want to move after you thin it down that much.  Then you can re-flatten the stock, say to 1 3/16, and do your glue-ups as needed, and finally, lightly surface the glued-up panels to 1 1/8".

   Ray

5. 
   ring | Sep 17, 2008 09:44am | #7

   I'd seriously consider changing the plans to suit what you can buy. If you're not comfortable making the parts thinner by using 4/4 stock, then maybe make them heavier by using 8/4 and not throwing so much in the dustbin. The alternative of resawing your 8/4 to get what the plans call for seems viable only if you have a real use for the 1/2" material you're going to produce as a by-product. And do watch out for destabilizing the resawn stock. Opening 8/4 oak can be like opening Pandora's box.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e