In search of wider stock...

[Chuck Bogardus]

I'm currently getting back into this - It's been 20+ years, but hey, I can't have forgotten that much (counting fingers...).

Anywho, I don't have access to a planer, but I need an 18" x 24" x 3/4" or 13/16" piece of red oak for the front of a desk/cabinet. I'd really prefer to avoid joins, since this will be the most visible portion of the piece. Does anyone out there sell wider stock? Likewise, if one could recommend someone selling stock that's already planed to 1/2", I'd appreciate it.

[GaryMc]

That is a tall order as specified - a two-foot section of 18" wide solid oak stock. I suppose there may be somewhere in the universe that such material is now being produced, but I would look to a supplier of old, recycled lumber if you really want to go with it. Have you considered plywood, or a veneered face on plywood? An 18" wide piece of oak would almost certainly be flat sawn, so would tend to cup rather drastically. It would be better to glue up pieces of quarter-sawn material, or flat-sawn pieces with alternating growth rings. It should not be too difficult to match grain pattern, color, etc. if you only need to end up with a 2-ft. length.

[Pastor Paul]

Try sending an e-mail to caroltullock@usa.net.

They sell lumber and may be able to supply what you need. Also, I suspect they can tell you if it even makes sense to try to get in one piece instead of a glue-up. I tend to agree with Gary that a glue-up or plywood would be your best bet.

[MadMark]

Brad at http://www.chipmunkhardwoods.com has that size in stock...

M