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PREPARATION OF STOCK - PLANING OF BOARDS
V. Ryan © 2011
 

When ordering natural wood, information such as how it is to be prepared, must be included on the order form. This includes the section / size and whether it will be supplied rough sawn or planed.
Timber is normally ordered planed, especially if a large amount is required. Planing rough sawn wood by hand often takes too long, even when using a planer thicknesser machine. The advantage of planed wood is that it already has an accurate and smooth finish to the sides and edges.
Planing at a wood suppliers is carried out in different ways, as outlined below. The type of planing required should be stated clearly, on the order form.

PLANED ALL ROUND (PAR)
All the sides and edges are planed square, straight and level, leaving a smooth finish and ready to use.
 
PLANED BOTH SIDES (PBS)
Both sides are planed but not the edges. The edges are left rough sawn.
 
PLANED SQUARE EDGE (PSE)
Only one edge is planed accurately, making marking out and cutting to size more precise.
 
ROUGH SAWN
The wood has rough surfaces produced by the circular / band saw, although they are relatively straight and level.
 
 
PLEASE NOTE: Even though wood may have been machine planed, a real craftsman / craftswoman, will finish the edges and sides by hand, using a smoothing and jack plane.
 
 
 
HOW TO CHECK THAT EDGES AND SIDES ARE ACCURATELY PREPARED
 
A try square is used to check that both the face edge and face side are perfectly flat and level across the width of the wood. It may be necessary to use a plane to remove more wood, ensuring accurately finished surfaces.
 
 
 
A long steel rule / straight edge is also used to check that the face edge and side are perfectly straight along their entire length. If light shines through at any point of contact, then the surface is not straight/flat.
 
 
 
 
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