On Sat, 02 Oct 2004 02:39:47 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


"ississauga" wrote in message
. com...
When I see large pieces of finished lumber, say a piece of 1" thick
oak thats a foot by 4 feet, it seems to be made of several pieces
joined together. Is this done because smaller pieces are cheaper or is
there some other reason?

Narrow wood is easier to come by. There are few trees still to be harvested
that will yield very wide boards. Wide boards seem to warp easier but I
don't know what the optimum size is.

Some folks rip wider boards into smaller widths to minimize movement.
The grain is flipped with each alternating board so that if the wood
cups, it is less likely to cause the entire table to cup. The optimum
width I've heard for this is 4", but that may vary from person to
person.