Replies

1. 
   dondownunder | Jan 07, 2005 05:18am | #1

   Dean

   I also need to get timber in from a fair distance so I calulate amount required & add at least 25%, because not only does freight eat into the profit if you need to reorder, timber never arrives in a perfect state.  If everything goes to plan & you get perfect boards with no warp or cup (remember that Murphy was a cabinet maker:-), you'll use the left over on another project.

   Don 

2. 
   notDusty | Jan 07, 2005 08:30pm | #2

    Dean,

            Much of the answer depends on the type of wood and the door style ,raised panel , recessed panel , solid slabs. Some woods have a much higher waste factor then others. A general way I use to estimate footage is to calculate the square footage of the faces and add maybe 25-50% to account for waste and such depending on the particulars. Red Oak for example when purchased s3s in a FAS grade has only about 5-10% waste factor , where Alder may have 25-35% waste . Try to order a bit more so you can pick and choose somewhat , and know whats left is paid for, and like money in the bank.

                   hope this helps                dusty

1. 
   HealeyBN7 | Jan 07, 2005 10:32pm | #3

   Thank you - very helpful. 

   So in my case I am looking at about 200sqft x 150% or about 300sqft total. 

   Do you find that trying to specify the width/length is of value or do you just let it go.

   Dean

3. 
   bones | Jan 07, 2005 11:01pm | #4

   I just received my new wood magazine in the mail yesterday and they have an article on ordering hardwoods.  In the article Steve Wall of Wall lumber recommended 50% extra. I'm not an expert, just passing along what I read, but figuring that I am not that precise and would surely have waste and a couple of screw ups, I do not see that as outrageous. It was a very good article at the end it listed several suppliers.  It should be in BAM and B&N by the first of the week.  You may want to go by and check it out.