Thread: A little help with scales?

You know, I have had some trouble finding nice wood in 1/8 myself. I have hesitated buying some of the 1/4 stuff I have found just because I don't have the tools to easily reduce them to 1/8. Anybody know of a resource for nice, thin boards?

Woodcraft.
Google "Thin Wood" or 1/8" wood.

I found lots using those words.

I know that my local Rockler store has a selection of 1/8th in a variety of types.

You know, I have no idea why I had not done that yet.

Yes, searching "thin lumber" gave me lots of resources.

Thanks

It's not a bad idea to buy wood already at 1/8th, but the problem is that at places like rockler or most sites that would have "thin wood" (from a google search) pick your wood for you. I like to select pieces of wood specifically for each job, and I almost always pick a particularly figured or exotic wood. I could set up a jig to resaw my pieces to 1/8th, but there is greater risk for splitting the wood and leaving huge marks. A thickness planer would get the job done in about 2 minutes leaving an almost perfect surface, I may just have to get one. I thought for sure someone here would have one in their shop.

Most home type planers will not allow anything less than 12" in length. With most planer you get some "sniping" on the ends (thinner on the ends than the center). the best bet is a jig or sled to trim them down on a table saw. At 1/4" thick with a 1/8" to 3/32" kerf on a saw blade, one piece would only get you a 1/8" thick piece. You are better off having a larger piece and getting many pieces. It can be done with what you have but getting a "matchbook" set ight be impossible.

Originally Posted by kilowattkid

Most home type planers will not allow anything less than 12" in length. With most planer you get some "sniping" on the ends (thinner on the ends than the center). .

A very good point, but there are some safe ways around the minimum length requirement.

I think you are right, I'm going to build a jig (actually going to try it on a scroll saw first with some thick scraps I have of the same material). I don't plan on bookmatching the sets I have now, but I will for the next piece I have. I am just going to thin down some of the 1/4 inch slabs I have.