Woodworking_Hobby Posted February 27, 2022 Report Share Posted February 27, 2022 I am starting some projects and was wondering if many folks resaw their thicker boards down to try and save some lumber for future projects or to just save time at the thickness planer? I was not sure if the boards would bow or cup a lot after resawing and if it would not save much effort after fixing the boards. I Was wondering if I would be better off just making extra saw dust at the jointer. It is nothing special just some 8/4 hard maple that I am using for some projects that I only need the final dimensions around 1-inch so I have some room to work with on the thickness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted February 27, 2022 Report Share Posted February 27, 2022 So it somewhat depends on the width of the board. a 12" wide 8/4 that is re sawn is both a difficult resaw and poses a bit more risk of movement just because of the wider board. In your situation where I had 8/4 and needed 1" finished, i would resaw the board to save the time on the planer as well as minimize saw dust that i have to carry out the door. In your situation you'll be left with an offcut that is the 1/2" range. That is a board that will get used rather quickly in my shop. That's a good thickness for drawers or door panels or could even be sliced up for edge banding. Lots of opportunities there. A big note here is I would always try, if possible to cut the 8/4 material down to project part size to minimize movement as well as make the resaw easier. I also aim to split the 8/4 board in half so both parts are useable. Depending if you got the 8/4 rough or surfaced. I can get 2 7/8" pieces out of an 8/4 rough board. Something surfaced is a bit harder and i'll usually be a hiar under 3/4". It's very common for me to adjust my designs to fit my material. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gee-dub Posted February 27, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 27, 2022 JMHO but I would absolutely resaw that material. Planing away that much material makes spoil, wears your machine and cutters, and wastes material that can be used later. Nearly all of my material comes from reputable yards that have prepared and handles the material properly before I get it. Large amounts of movement during milling are rare for me. Not to say it doesn't happen. I have had some mahogany that relieved stress like I was on candid camera. Here's a mild case from that board. I can't believe I didn't catch a pic of the pretzel that came form the other end of this board. I guess I was in shock or just laughing hysterically. I don't recall which. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan McCully Posted February 27, 2022 Report Share Posted February 27, 2022 I would echo these other two and recommend resawing as well. You mention that going to the planer would save time, in my experience, its the other way around. Slimming a board that size down on the planer would take far more time than running it through the bandsaw. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 27, 2022 Report Share Posted February 27, 2022 2 minutes ago, Jonathan McCully said:Slimming a board that size down on the planer would take far more time than running it through the bandsaw. That’s going to depend on the planer, considering band saw will require planing and potential jointing after. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodworking_Hobby Posted February 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2022 Thanks for the thoughts! I will probably give it a whirl on the bandsaw; I need to practice that skill anyway. And yes my boards do not come of the bandsaw anything like the pros when they are cutting veneer or book matched ends so they still take some time on the thickness planer for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted February 27, 2022 Report Share Posted February 27, 2022 And it is hard maple. That adds to the stress of your planner. Not never. Maple behaves at the planner. But not a huge amount. Unless it is your only option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post h3nry Posted February 28, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 On 2/26/2022 at 10:44 PM, Woodworking_Hobby said: It is nothing special just some 8/4 hard maple that I am using for some projects that I only need the final dimensions around 1-inch so I have some room to work with on the thickness. If this is the case and it's not special lumber, then I vote neither ... just go out and buy a 4/4 or 5/4 board, and save the 8/4 for stuff that needs to be that thick. but then ... I'm lazy ... and both resawing and thickness planing are hard work ... 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legenddc Posted March 1, 2022 Report Share Posted March 1, 2022 Unless it was some unique board you had to use or hard to come by, I would just try to buy one closer to the correct size. If you have a well tuned up bandsaw and could cut it like Chestnut said, that would be my second choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted July 14, 2022 Report Share Posted July 14, 2022 On 3/1/2022 at 8:36 AM, legenddc said: Unless it was some unique board you had to use or hard to come by, I would just try to buy one closer to the correct size. If you have a well tuned up bandsaw and could cut it like Chestnut said, that would be my second choice. X2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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