Help Picking 4x8x20 Douglas Fir to Resaw for Tanenui Build

[Allen Bosely]

I could use some guidance on picking out 4x6 & 4x8 20' Douglas Fir to be resawn for my Wharram Tanenui build.

It's very beautiful wood. No. 1 & Better, air dried, straight grain. I can pick thru & choose my pieces. I'll need about 12, 4x8x20 or 16, if 4x6x20. Or combination of the two widths.

I saw them a few months ago when looking for a house project. Was amazed at the quality of the beams! Straight, no knots at all, really nice lumber, it looks like cabinet grade wood.

When I get the 4x6/4x8 home I'll resaw them a fat 1/6" over size & let them dry & relax for a few weeks. Then finish them to final dimentions.
Most of the sizes needed are ¾"x2" & 3", 2"x2" and a few pieces for crosbeams 5-½" wide or so.

I know I want grain that runs a long way before crossing 1" out of line.
But how straight is straight enough?

I'm guessing they will be flat sawn mostly. I didn't pay real close attention when was there last.

What are some likely ways they will be sawn & what do I want?

When I resaw them I can cut them to optimize grain direction. But don't know what that is!

If anyone has links or any help, ideally specific directions it would be most helpful and appreciated!


I have been a contractor for many years. It's just laying out & resawing for optimum strength for boat building is new. Not resawing lumber.

Cheers, Allen

[Allen Bosely]

The only clear Douglas Fir are these 4x6 & 4x8s.
I'm used to working large lumber, so no problem there. :-)

I just want to be sure to pick out the best pieces & cut resaw them to get the best grain orientation possible.

Cheers, Allen

[kim whitmyre]

Allen,

It's my understanding that flat-sawn (or back sawn), selected judiciously, is preferred to quarter-sawn for most boat-building pursuits, other than interior cabinet work. It holds up better to the water and weather.  Hull planking uses flat-sawn planks. Here's a few interesting images I found:

In a former life, I did a bit of sash and door making. . . Used to pick up rough vertical grain  D. Fir 2x6's for the purpose. Where is the wood? Such stuff is getting rarer and rarer. . .

[Allen Bosely]

Aloha Kim, thanks for the Pic & info! 

Believe it or not it's from HPM Lumber on Big Island Hawaii, they are a local company. Reason for my surprise is to find lumber this nice here for such a good price. Most things are more expensive if even available here. 

And as you say, it's getting rarer and rarer to find such nice lumber at all for any price now days.

Actually the No.1 & Better Structural Select is only $3 more for 4x8x20 over the No.1 & Better Structural. It's air dried not kiln dried. 

They will come out in the yard & help me sort & pick the ones with the nicest grain!  $77 vs $80 and I can pick my lumber. I'm pretty Happy to say the least! 

  

Cheers, Allen

[kim whitmyre]

Air-dried! Don't look down, Allen, I think you've died and gone to heaven! ;-)