re: Getting Started Building Furniture

quote:

---

One tip, if you are buying typical construction grade wood from a big box store, spend a little time sifting through too find the best pieces. Let the wood dry in your shop for about a month or so before you start to build with it.

---

To add to this tip....absolutely do not buy wood from the big box store to build furniture. Their pine is not meant for furniture. It's going to be twisted to hell and if you do find a straight piece, there will be so much tension from the rapid drying process that it will twist and bow when you cut it. It's soft and won't accept a finish well. Just no reason to use it. Their hardwood is severely overpriced, especially for the quality. And you'll be limited to red oak (meh aesthetics) and poplar (paint grade). I would buy their premium plywood in the past if it was too much of a pain to drive to other lumber yards, but when lumber shot up, they are asking too much per sheet for me to do that. It's now worth the drive.

Find a hardwood dealer and do a little research on how to buy there. They sell in "board feet" (look it up) and everything is usually rough cut. However, they will mill flat and to size if needed for a small cost. And it will almost certainly be cheaper in the end than Home Depot with a better quality product.