Replies

1. 
   jeff100 | Mar 14, 2006 08:31am | #1

   You could order thicker material from an online hardwood supplier and have it shipped to your address.  That's probably what I would do.  There are a number of suppliers that have online sites with pictures of their material etc..  Not sure if shipping across the border is an issue though...

   JJ

2. 
   MikeHennessy | Mar 14, 2006 02:43pm | #2

   You just ran smack up on the reason a planer should be one of the first power tools in your shop. Without it, you are at the mercy of mass-produced dimensional lumber suppliers. Even if you laminate, you'll still need to plane -- a lot! Lumber that's 1" rough will only finish out to about 7/8", if you're lucky. You'll need to start with 5/4 rough. If your lumber supplier has 5/4 (or even 6/4), you may want to buy it and take it somewhere to be planed to the proper dimension. Most good lumber yards (real ones -- not the big boxes) will do milling for some hourly charge. You could go over 1-1/8", but I wouldn't go under -- you'd lose too much stiffness.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   GLS Design | Mar 14, 2006 04:19pm | #3

   There is no doubt I am challenged North of the Border as woodworking in this part of the Country is not a prominant as the North East lumber is not easy obtained.  I am curious about laminating up the stock.  If I laminate 3/8" with 3/4" finish stock which I can get, I can get to the desired thickness but what does that do for the strength and will the lamination fail over time considering it not done in a controled factory setting.  Will the glue ultimately fail over time?  Thanks for the feedback, you reaffirmed my fears.  As an amatuer or hobbyist I am reluctant to get into major equipment purchases but that's the trade off I guess, get into it or don't start.

    

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Mar 14, 2006 09:37pm | #4

   " I am curious about laminating up the stock.  If I laminate 3/8" with 3/4" finish stock which I can get, I can get to the desired thickness but what does that do for the strength and will the lamination fail over time considering it not done in a controled factory setting.  Will the glue ultimately fail over time?"

   Laminating will be fine. I've done it often when I couldn't get stock as thick as I'd like. Use a good glue like Titebond and flash the joint -- apply glue liberally, mate the pieces and wiggle then around a bit to transfer glue to the other piece, pull them apart and let the glue set up for about 5 minutes to develop some "tack", put the pieces back together and clamp. For bed rails, you'll either need a LOT of clamps or you can nail or screw from the inside face to hold the joint until the glue sets, tho' you may want to clamp along the top edge at least to keep the glue line as tight as possible so you won't see it later. The laminated wood will be at least as strong as a solid piece. *You'll* fail before the joint does. ;- )

   "  Thanks for the feedback, you reaffirmed my fears.  As an amatuer or hobbyist I am reluctant to get into major equipment purchases but that's the trade off I guess, get into it or don't start."

   Well, not exactly. I did woodworking for 20+ years before I got a planer. Prior to that, I dimensioned lumber with hand planes -- a scrub plane that I made out of an old wooden jack plane (about $5.00) and a couple of old Stanleys. Took longer, but I learned some skills I couldn't have picked up otherwise and I'm glad to have now although I have collected some power tools. In fact, that's how I would recommend anyone start -- with a bunch of hand tools and a lot of time making shavings.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

   Edited 3/14/2006 2:52 pm ET by MikeHennessy

1. 
   GLS Design | Mar 14, 2006 10:16pm | #5

   Thanks Mike, you've presented me with some options and confirmed what I thought.  Appreciate your response.

    

2. 
   gb93433 | Apr 06, 2006 05:45am | #9

   "I am curious about laminating up the stock. If I laminate 3/8" with 3/4" finish stock which I can get, I can get to the desired thickness but what does that do for the strength and will the lamination fail over time considering it not done in a controled factory setting."The lamination should have glue lines equidistant about the center of the final thickness. If they are not then the piece will tend to curve one direction because the glue will shrink and pull the material.

3. 
   maplegroup | Mar 15, 2006 03:08am | #6

   I buy my rough lumber from Windsor Plywood in Red Deer and though I have the equipment to mill myself, I know the Red Deer location will mill custom sizes if it isn't a major quantity (for a resonable fee I believe). I'm sure there are Windsor Plywood outlets in Edmonton and assume they would offer the same service. If you haven't purchased through this outlet before, they carry a large selection of hardwoods and the service I've found is excellant . Might want to check them out.

    

   Good luck.

   Jim

4. 
   Herm | Mar 24, 2006 07:31am | #7

   1. I've seen many bed rails, and have build some, with rails in the 3/4" to 1" range. Since the rail sits "on edge" it's stiffness is determined more by it's width than it's thickness.

   2. I believe Edmonton has a branch of P.J. White Hardwoods. Although a wholesaler, you may be able to buy from them. Being a member of the Northern Alberta Woodworkers Guild will probably help this. Worth checking out.

5. 
   DanAlberta | Apr 06, 2006 02:06am | #8

   Have you tried Windsor on St. Albert Tr. They may have something that you are looking for. It is on the north side of the tracks just north of the Yellowhead. It will be on the west side of St. Albert Tr. They have both plywood and solid lumber there.

    I bought some mahogany there for a project I did a few years ago.