SLR standards

[wood]

I began building furniture for my home about 2 years ago and thus started my ascent into the joys of woodworking by building a solid red oak bedroom suite including a mission style queen size bed, mission style end tables with red oak/pine butcher block tops and a mission style dresser. I have also built some Maltese Cross-top four legged stools for my fire station (I am a firefighter/paramedic by trade) and a few Maltese Cross Butcher Block Clocks. I tell you all this to illustrate my inexperience with this craft. Hence my question: I am building a baby bed for my new (and eagerly awaited) grand son to be. I have decided to use primarily maple for it's construction. I recently found a local place (other than the hellaciously expensive Home Depot) to purchase domestic and exotic lumber by the board foot. Being to unfamiliar with the terminology to be able to even order what I needed, I did a little research and determined that I wanted 44bf of 4/4 Hard Maple FAS 13/16 SLR, which I ordered from my local Hogan Hardwood Dealer. Here is my question; What dimensional tolerances should one expect when placing an order like mine? I received 13/16 (roughly within 1/64 or so) lumber, varying in width from 5.5 to 9.5 inches with faces which will require planing of at least 1/32". In addition, of all the ripped edges of the 8' boards, not one is within 1" of a straight line and most vary by as much as 2.5".

 

[Thomas O]

Wood,

It sounds like you ordered your wood from a lumber wholesaler. You must specify the type of milling you want. The thickness should be right on based on the fact that most lumber suppliers will mill your wood the day before it is delivered. I don't by lumber that has been "premilled". For one it can take on or loose moisture sitting in the warehouse thereby changing the thickness and it also gets dirty. The "FAS" grade that you ordered is the top of the line (or should be). If the boards are not straight it tells me that you did not request straight lining in you milling order. Usually 4/4 lumber comes from the mill somewhat rough (called hit and miss) and is about 15/16" and not straight lined. I always order 4/4 lumber 13/16 and 1 edge. I wish we could get FAS grade here. Select and better is usually the best we can get.

Good luck in your venture...

Tom

 

[wood]

Tom,

Thank you for the reply. However, I did order SLR. Hogan Hardwood's invoice even reflects this fact. My question was, what dimensional tolerances should I expect? How straight should I expect the edge to be?

Thanks again

Mark