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Saratoga Joinery is a one-stop shop for woodworkers: we have lumber, all types of tools, a wide array of power tools and machines, wood glue and fasteners, and tons of clamps. When you walk through our doors, we want you to be able to finish your project, from conception to conclusion, within our space. To that end, we have an entire lumber room filled with all different species of wood in varying thicknesses. An important thing to note, though, is that our wood is all rough lumber, so our members have become very comfortable with the process of transforming rough lumber into stunning, smooth boards. Today, we’re diving into the art of milling rough lumber into S4S (Surfaced 4 Sides) wood using a jointer and a planer. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a DIY enthusiast, this guide will make your woodworking journey a breeze!
Before we get started, let’s clarify what S4S wood actually is. S4S refers to lumber that has been planed and smoothed on all four sides. This means that you can dive straight into your project without worrying about rough edges or uneven surfaces. However, if you’re working with rough lumber, you’ll need to mill it down to S4S first.
A jointer is your best friend when it comes to flattening one face of your board and creating a straight edge. This tool helps eliminate warps, twists, and any imperfections, ensuring your wood has one flat face and one flat edge and is ready for the next step.
After the jointer, it’s time for the planer. This tool allows you to ensure both faces are parallel and, if need be, to reduce the thickness of your wood.
After the planer, it’s time to clean up the non-jointed edge. This is done on the table saw. You have two choices depending on your goal: you can take off just enough of the non-jointed edge to square up your board, OR you can take off whatever is needed to achieve your desired width.
Make sure you have a clean and organized workspace. Safety is paramount, so wear your safety goggles and hearing protection. Set up your jointer and planer according to the manufacturer's instructions, ensuring they’re both in good working order.
Start with your rough lumber. Place the cupped or concave side face down on the infeed table. This provides the most stability as it is jointed. Feed it through, keeping a steady pressure on your board.
Tip: Make multiple passes if needed, especially if your wood is particularly rough. You want a perfectly flat surface! As always, ask one of our Safety Coordinators if you’re unsure! They love to help!
Once one face is flat, it’s time to create a straight edge. Flip the board over so the flat face is against the jointer’s fence. Feed it through, taking care to keep your fingers clear of the blades. This will give you a straight edge, which is crucial for the next step.
Now that you have one flat face and one straight edge, it’s time to move to the planer. Be sure to place the jointed (flat) surface down on the planer’s infeed table. Set the thickness of the planer to just slightly below the highest point of the un-planed face of your board – you do not want to take off too much on the first pass, as this could cause the board to get jammed in the planer. Continue raising the infeed table until you reach the desired thickness of your board. This will ensure that the opposite face is parallel to the flat face you just created.
Tip: Take light passes at first. You can always take more off, but you can’t put it back! The golden rule in our shop is to raise the table by just one turn of the wheel after each pass!
Pro Tip: When you're taking a lot of material off a rough board, it's good practice to alternate between sides with the planer once you've flattened the second side. The theory is that this allows the interior, which is higher moisture than the exterior, to dry evenly from both sides, thereby making it less likely to warp. BOOM - wood science!
For this step you have two choices depending on your goal: you can take off just enough of the non-jointed edge tosquare up your board, OR you can take off whatever is needed to achieve your desired width.
After milling, inspect your boards for any imperfections. Sand them lightly if necessary, and don’t forget to check for any defects that may have been hidden in the rough lumber. Now you’re ready to use your perfectly milled S4S wood in your projects!
Milling your wood to S4S not only enhances the appearance of your projects but also ensures better fit and finish. It allows for more precise joinery and gives you a sense of satisfaction knowing you’ve taken rough lumber and transformed it into something beautiful. It is so satisfying to watch the grain slowly become more and more distinct with each pass!
And there you have it! Milling S4S wood with a jointer, planer and table saw is a rewarding process that opens up a world of possibilities in woodworking. No matter what you’re working on, having smooth, flat boards is essential to achieving beautiful results. So head down to our shop and start creating something beautiful!
Happy woodworking!
Saratoga Joinery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies upon the support of the community to keep our blades spinning.
