What's the best way to cut lumber?

[rlb]

I am wondering how to go about cutting down a piece of lumber into usable billets (approx. 2" x 20" x say 1/4").

 

I hope this diagram makes sense--

 

 

My question is--is A or B the preferred method for the "final" cutting, in view of how the grain runs?   Does it matter whether the billet will be used for framing, or if it is going to be further cut into planking strips?

 

Ron

[AON]

There is a wonderful paper on the properties of wood at:

 

https://thenrg.org/resources/Documents/articles/AnOverviewOfWoodProperties.pdf

 

on page 8 is an image regarding shrinkage and warpage

you might want to study it and then decide.

[druxey]

'Quarter sawn' usually provides good results. This is where the grain, seen end on, runs diagonally.

[Thiscout]

☺️

[Roger Pellett]

The following is from my wooden canoe restoring experience.  It may or may not be applicable to the much smaller cross sections that we encounter.

 

Wood canvas Canoes use wood for two structural elements; Ribs 5/16in thick x 2-1/2in wide, steam bent into a U shape, and Planking 3/16in thick x 3in wide.  Material is Northern Cedar and in some cases Red Cedar.

 

Stock for ribs is usually flat sawn as it is considered to be easier to bend.  quarter sawn stock is preferred for planking.

 

 

[Bob Cleek]

As Roger explained, it depends on what the cut piece is going to be used for. Grain orientation is a factor in strength and ease of bending, as well as in the piece's ability to hold fastenings and resist splitting. Most good basic books on woodworking will treat the subject of milling and grain orientaton in their early chapters.

[Gregory]

Do the considerations remain consistent at scale?