Calculate Board Feet

While hardwoods and softwoods may look somewhat similar in size and shape in stacks at the lumberyard, the method for calculating the cost of each is quite different. Softwoods are dimensional lumber, meaning that they are cut into uniform sizes (2x4, 1x8, etc.). All of the boards of the same size in a stack at the lumberyard are going to be the same price.

With hardwoods, the story is quite different. Hardwoods are sold by the board foot, which is a calculation of the cubic size of the board. A board foot is 12 inches by 12 inches by 1 inch, or one-twelfth of a cubic foot.

To begin, one must first understand the thicknesses of hardwoods. Typically, board thicknesses will be listed in fourths: 3/4 = .75 inch in thickness4/4 = 1.00 inch5/4 = 1.25 inches6/4 = 1.50 inches7/4 = 1.75 inches8/4 = 2.00 inches and so on...The formula for calculating board feet is as follows:

(length x width x thickness)/144

All of the dimensions in this formula are in inches. For instance, a 10-inch wide, 3/4 board that measures 96-inches in length would come out to five board feet: (96 x 10 x .75)/144 = 5

In another example, a 6/4 board that is 8 inches wide and 6-feet long (72 inches) would be six board feet: (72 x 8 x 1.50)/144 = 6

If you know the board feet measurement of each board and you know how much the lumberyard charges per board foot, you can determine the cost for that board. For instance, if the two boards above were oak, and you know that the lumberyard charges $18 per board foot for oak, in the first example above, the cost for the board would be $90 (5 BF x $18 per BF = $90).

In the second example, the price for that board would be $108 (6 BF x $18 = $108).

It's important to verify the price per board when you buy or sell lumber, because some yards like adjust to round numbers. In other words, if you try to buy three boards of oak that measure out to 6.72 BF, 5.69 BF and 7.71 BF, the lumberyard might try to round each board up to 7, 6 and 8 respectively. This seemingly minor adjustment would end up costing you an additional $15.84 over the actual BF prices for the three boards.

When going to buy hardwoods, don't be afraid to challenge their measurements. It doesn't hurt to keep a small calculator in your pocket and calculate the prices to check their figures. Most lumberyards will calculate it properly, but as you can see, just a small rounding can end up costing you quite a bit in the long run.

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Small Tool Board/ French Cleat

I decided to finally get around to creating a dedicated space for some of my hand tools that require special attention ! Eventually I intend to build a wall tool cabinet much like You see here on L J’s, but this board was something quick and easy. I have always liked the French Cleat design for wall mounting storage, but when I started My workshop the walls were already covered in Pegboard . Don’t get Me wrong,pegboard is very useful in some ways but the French Cleat system IMO offers more versatility. This small tool board is deigned with the FC system and will have to suffice for now ! I do really like the quick and simple fixtures that can be made and used to store various tools. With rare earth mags, lace, pegs and scrap materials to make tool caddy’s, You can easily hang tools securely and the best part about the system is the adjustability it offers, adding new tools will be no problem. Well it isn’t a permanent fixture but it is getting the job done for now. Thanks for taking a look and stay safe…......ROB

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Cutting Board

Cut the Tongues

Add some chippers to set the width of your stacked dado blade to 1/2", and lower the blade height on your table saw to 1/4". Move your fence to 4-1/2" away from the blade and run boards 1 & 2 through the blade on both sides to create the tongues that will fit in the corresponding grooves in boards 2 & 3.

TIP: For the best fit, set your dado blade to just less than 1/4" height and cut the tongue, then try to dry fit it into the groove. You might need to raise the blade a hair and run it through the saw again, but this will procedure ensure a tight fitting tongue-and-groove joint.

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Tin Can and Cedar Board Birdhouse

For this project, you will need one clean #10 can. Cut out both ends of can. You will need two
cans of outdoor spray paint, colors of your choice. You will need a 6 foot 1×12 cedar plank. A tube of silicon to seal can to cedar. Use a small chain and two small eye screws to hang the birdhouse. Use a pencil, ruler, and poster paper to draw the front and back of the birdhouse pattern. A router will be needed as well as a set of hole saws for different size holes for the birdhouses.

Cut two pieces of cedar ten inches long. Use ruler to draw a point on one end of board, Draw the line from side to center on both side then cut away board following the line. Your board should look like the front of a house with a pitched roof. Do the same on the other board. Use one of the boards as the front and use a hole saw to cut a circle out of the front board. Drill a ¼-inch hole and glue a five-inch, ¼-inch dowel into it.

Take the can and center it over the hole. Using the pencil to draw around the can, next take router groves bit and follow the line. Use the silicone and glue the can into the grove. Complete other board the same way. Take the eye screws and attach one to each end of the birdhouse. Attach a small chain to the eye screws to hang the birdhouse. Paint your birdhouse, the can one color and the cedar another. Let it dry completely then hang it up.

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Calculate Board Feet

While hardwoods and softwoods may look somewhat similar in size and shape in stacks at the lumberyard, the method for calculating the cost of each is quite different. Softwoods are dimensional lumber, meaning that they are cut into uniform sizes (2x4, 1x8, etc.). All of the boards of the same size in a stack at the lumberyard are going to be the same price.

With hardwoods, the story is quite different. Hardwoods are sold by the board foot, which is a calculation of the cubic size of the board. A board foot is 12 inches by 12 inches by 1 inch, or one-twelfth of a cubic foot.

To begin, one must first understand the thicknesses of hardwoods. Typically, board thicknesses will be listed in fourths: 3/4 = .75 inch in thickness4/4 = 1.00 inch5/4 = 1.25 inches6/4 = 1.50 inches7/4 = 1.75 inches8/4 = 2.00 inches and so on...The formula for calculating board feet is as follows:

(length x width x thickness)/144

All of the dimensions in this formula are in inches. For instance, a 10-inch wide, 3/4 board that measures 96-inches in length would come out to five board feet: (96 x 10 x .75)/144 = 5

In another example, a 6/4 board that is 8 inches wide and 6-feet long (72 inches) would be six board feet: (72 x 8 x 1.50)/144 = 6

If you know the board feet measurement of each board and you know how much the lumberyard charges per board foot, you can determine the cost for that board. For instance, if the two boards above were oak, and you know that the lumberyard charges $18 per board foot for oak, in the first example above, the cost for the board would be $90 (5 BF x $18 per BF = $90).

In the second example, the price for that board would be $108 (6 BF x $18 = $108).

It's important to verify the price per board when you buy or sell lumber, because some yards like adjust to round numbers. In other words, if you try to buy three boards of oak that measure out to 6.72 BF, 5.69 BF and 7.71 BF, the lumberyard might try to round each board up to 7, 6 and 8 respectively. This seemingly minor adjustment would end up costing you an additional $15.84 over the actual BF prices for the three boards.

When going to buy hardwoods, don't be afraid to challenge their measurements. It doesn't hurt to keep a small calculator in your pocket and calculate the prices to check their figures. Most lumberyards will calculate it properly, but as you can see, just a small rounding can end up costing you quite a bit in the long run.

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Particle Board

Take a walk through most furniture stores today and you'll see truckloads of beautifully finished hardwood furniture. Cherry, oak, maple and many other varieties of stock. However, if you take a closer look at any of these pieces, you may notice that it likely isn't made from hardwood at all. Instead, the piece is most likely made from veneered particle board.

Why would furniture companies use a manufactured wood product simulated to look like hardwoods?

Does this mean that you should avoid using particle board in your woodworking projects?

Absolutely not.

As with all manufactured wood products, there is a proper time and place for using particle board products. For instance, white, melamine covered particle board is well-equipped for use in interior tasks such as building closet shelves. The melamine is clean and doesn't require painting, and if affixed properly, will be stable and strong for a long time. I have used melamine coated particle board for numerous shop projects, and it holds up quite well.

Are there any special steps that are required when using particle board?

For starters, a regular screw or nail that is driven directly into particle board will not hold very well. For connecting two pieces of particle board, use adhesives and specially-designed screws for holding particle board.

Second, the veneer or melamine covering on the particle board can chip when cutting with a circular saw. To combat this chipping, try scoring the particle board with a utility knife along the cut line. You might also try covering the cut line with masking tape before making the cut.

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Rock Maple Cutting Board

Just to get my profile started; here’s an example of a rock maple cutting board I made for a Chef here in Vegas.

-- Geoff

www.besthomewoodworkingplans.com

1 More End Grain Cutting Board

I made my girlfriend an end grain cutting board for Christmas. This was my first, it’s made of walnut, maple, and cherry.

-- Chris - Baltimore, MD http://baltimorewoodworking.com/

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