Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Mar 08, 2008 08:35pm | #1

   You can use construction lumber, but the savings, which probably won't be all that great, come at a risk of warpage and more labor.

   Choose the straightest grain, most knot free stock that you can. You will usually have much better luck choosing from 2 by 10 and 2 by 12 stock, since 2 by 4's are usually cut from the lowest grade trees.

   The safest approach is to sticker the stock for several months in a heated interior space to allow the wood to dry out before you use it, but some of the wood may warp so greatly that it can't be used, and it will all have to be jointed and planed. The end grain will need to be sealed to prevent end checking from destroying much of the stock

   The alternative is to use the wood as soon as you get it into the shop, trusting that the stiffness of the plywood will resist the wood's moving as it dries out. Don't let the wood sit even overnight in a heated area, it will start warping within hours of being brought indoors.

   John White

   
   

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   Edited 3/8/2008 12:42 pm ET by JohnWW

1. 
   pine99 | Mar 09, 2008 04:50am | #2

   John I guess that answers that I will use popular or red oak or ash for the infrastructure of the alter.

    

   Thanks ever so much.

    

   Pine99

1. 
   JohnWW | Mar 11, 2008 12:50am | #3

   You're welcome, good luck with your project, making church furniture is good for your karma.John W.