I agree with Bridger. although there are certainly cost saving to buying
rough sawn, the more important factor to me is the ability to insure flat
surfaces, which I rarely find in surfaced wood around me. also the ability
to to pull something out of the wood pile or the scrap pile and surface and
thickness to size saves a lot of time instead of running to a supplier.

Just my opinion

Ken


wrote in message
...
On Mon, 19 Jul 2004 15:10:10 GMT, Daniel wrote:

Hello,

Does anyone have a *rough* estimate on how much rough-sawn wood one has
to put through these two pieces of machinery to get to the point where
you just break even on your machinery purchase, compared to purchasing
surfaced lumber at higher costs?

I realize there are many variables to this question, and that wood and
machinery costs vary, so let's assume:
- hobbyist jointer (maybe a Delta JT360?)
- (not too) low-end planer (Delta TP400 or something like that)
- North America native hardwoods like oak, maple, poplar; nothing exotic

I have no specific preference for Delta, other than that I seem to be
able to find them advertised online at local stores (Toronto, ON, CA
area).

Thank you!

- Daniel



there's more than surfaced lumber costs to consider.

the jointer/planer team will allow you to quickly make precisely
dimensioned parts the size *you* need them.

and that surfaced lumber at the store is rarely going to be straight,
especially after you bring it home and let it acclimate to your shop.

buying hardwoods at home depot is a losing proposition.