I am trying to find a place to get a 24″ wide piece of oak. Currently the widest I can find is 6″. I don’t have a jointer or planer so I was hoping to purchase the stock instead of investing in new tools (i don’t even know where to get a 24″ planer anyway). I live in western CT so I was hoping to pick it up instead of paying shipping fees.
Thank you in advance from a 1st year attempting to be a woodworker.
Replies
Why don't you glue up four 6 inch wide boards? Not only would you have needed a 24" planer, but a 24" jointer as well.
Forgive my question if it is too basic. But how do I align the boards just right? Is there a jig I can build and then use bar clamps? do I just give it my best on the alignment and then use a scraper and the sander to make up for the difference?
I appreciate your help.
24" wide oak board
To obtain the boards you want will probably require a visit to a speciality lumber mill. They are definitely not a standard production item.
Having said that and acquiring the piece(s) that you require, you are then up for seasoning/thicknessing costs. Not a viable option in my mind, - unless you have a specific requirement for a 24" wide board and the time and money to get same.
There are two alternatives that come to mind, one has already been suggested i.e. jointing 4 x 6" lengths. It appears from your answer that you might need assistance to do this as you do not have the tools/experience to accomplish it. Your only option is to take the 6" boards to a joiner and have them do the job for you. If you particularly want to do this yourself, then there are many on-line woodworking forums that can help. Personally I think that without professional instruction, your trial and error attempts will cost you more than have a joinery do the job for you.
The second option that comes to mind, and I do not know what 'length' you are after, would be to look aver a demolition yard/second hand furniture shop or similar and retrieve the timber from an old bed end or table that suits the sizes that you require.
I have several pieces in my stack gained this way, but it is of no help to you as the freightage kills any chance of delivery.
What is the end use for the board(s) and what dimensions are you after please?
BOL
Arfabuck
Options
To get your boards ready, you have a few options:
Like Arfabuck notes.
Use a router, pattern bit and a straight edge to get your edges straight (the method I use because I don’t have a jointer). First I used a factory edge from a piece of plywood (or MDF), but have since picked up a metal straight edge that I clamp to the material. You can run the router base against the guide piece and use a non bearing bit to cut the material straight too.
Use hand planes.
I recommend the second option. You don't need to take a lot of material off. Maybe 1/16" at the most. First run the material through your table saw to get rid of any dings from the lumber yard. Then determine where your router is cutting and set you guide so you are just taking off a little bit. Try even 1/32". Push the guide up to the edge holding it up to the light. The edge might already be straight. I've glued right off the saw, but my saw is smooth.
The reason I like a pattern bit (bearing top) is I don't need to remember or measure anything. I lay my guide along the edge until it is the way I like it, then clamp it down. The bearing rides along the guide, leaving the straight edge.
Once you have the boards fitting tight, you are ready for the glue up. I'm assuming you have purchased material from a yard that provides surfaced material, i.e. 4/4 = 13/16", 5/4 = 1-1/16", etc. You verified the material is all the same thickness.
Glue up in stages. If you have four boards, glue two sets of two boards together. Then glue everything together into your full width.
Besides your bar/pipe clamps pulling the board edges together, you are going to need cauls long enough to span the panel. At each location you put one on the top and bottom going across the panel with a clamp on each end. As you tighten the clamps they pull/push the joint together. They also help keep the panel from cupping. You can use this same method at the ends or just use a block on the top and bottom of the joint with one clamp.
As long as you take your time and spread your glue over the mating surface, you don’t need to use biscuits or dowels.
Tips
+Cover all cauls/blocks with packing tape.
+Before you glue up your first panel, go through all the steps and put it in clamps. You may find you need another set of cauls to pull the boards flat.
+As you are glue up, lightly snug up your bar/pipe clamps. Put on the cauls, then tighten the bar/pipe clamps. If the bar/pipe clamps are already tight, you will need to beat on the joint to move it, or loosen the clamp. Be sure to use some type of block/pad on your bar/pipe clamp so you don’t damage the edge of your board.
Once everything is dry and out of clamps, I use a chisel to clean up any dry glue I didn’t get when it was wet. Then I use a card scraper to level any uneven areas. Be careful not to spend too much time on one small area. Spread your focus with the scraper over a larger area so you don’t create a bowl.
Good Luck,
I heard ya but
Just in case it doesn't work out to buy near you here is a great place
http://www.cswoods.com/
A couple of things to keep in mind :
Depending on thickness and length a 24 inch plank may weigh more than you ever dreamed possible. Take another guy or two along with you to help.
Wide planks are seriously expensive. Hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the figure.
If you are going to get boring old grain/figure you may as well make up the slab from narrow pieces.
Aw O
>1st year attempting to be a woodworker<
Nah Dude Nah
Don't even think of making this big plank your first attempt.
Do a trial/practice run with some other HARD wood. And I mean hard. Oak is no joke to work. Seriously.
Get some smaller shorter lengths and have a go on something that isn't your big project. Just to get a feel for what you are about to do.
All it takes is to hand saw, lengthwise, a piece of pine with a handsaw of average sharpness then try the same thing with some oak and you will see what I mean. Flattening it, thicknessing it will be the same deal.
Edge gluing up thin boards to make wide boards is one of the basic skills in woodworking. Just something you usually have to do to make table tops. You can use extra F clamps to force the edges into place instead of cauls if you have to, see pix below. There are lessons on basic woodworking here on this FineWoodworking site you should check out.
call in a pro.
Contact your local cabinet shop and see if they can help you out, that is the best solution and most cost effective for your needs.
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