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Lumber is not cheap-in fact, it can be very expensive if the wrong
sort is chosen for the job you will be doing. Read carefully the suggestions and the listings given herewith, come to know the various kinds
and sizes of lumber and their grades, and your job's requirements, so
that you may save yourself a good bit of money and in addition have a
more satisfactory project. Look into the facts before you buy lumber;
consider them as carefully as if you were buying a car. Well chosen,
carefully cut, and properly installed, lumber will outlast several dozen
cars, yet many people (often the same ones who try out every car in the
field and buy a car with great care and consideration) will rush out and
buy some lumber, any lumber, for a woodworking project.
Like cars, lumber has certain definite characteristics. It will perform
more or less well in a general way, but usually there is one particular
job for which each grade is outstandingly well fitted.
Several methods are used in grading lumber by the various suppliers,
but all of them are similar to or approximate the pine grading listed
opposite. The thing to remember in ordering lumber is that you need
not use the highest quality or the best grades for everything that you
build. If you are in doubt as to what kind or grade of lumber to use, talk
over your project with your lumber dealer. Tell him what your plans are,
how the lumber is to be used, and ask for his advice. Most lumber
dealers are reputable and are sympathetic with the how-to-do-it craftsmen. If you have not come to him on a busy Saturday morning when all
the other local amateur craftsmen are besieging the yard for materials
to use over the weekend, your dealer will be able to advise you and will
do so. If you find yourself in doubt as to what he advises, it is always
possible to thank him for his advice and say that you will consider the
matter. Then go to another dealer to see how the advice checks out,
using your common sense to decide which is the better of the two
suggestions. It is probable that they will be similar.
After a few projects you will probably be able to choose your own
lumber. You will have evaluated the advice given so that you will know
which lumber yard to use and which was attempting (possibly) to make
a "fast buck" at your expense.
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