Preparing rough lumber in our shop at Thom Collegiate is done using the following procedure:
* Select your materials in a fashion that will produce the minimal amount of waste.
* Rough cut ~ one inch longer than the desired length.
* Read the grain and then joint the face side of the board followed by jointing the best edge. (note that the jointed face should be against the fence to ensure the jointed edge and face are square).
* Rip to width.
* Plane to thickness.
* Square an end.
* Measure from squared end and cut to length.