Q: What's the sequence of ripping, jointing, and planing when converting rough lumber to useable boards?

Carol Reed: This is almost one of those pins or tails first questions. I joint a face, rip an edge, plane the other face, and rip the other edge, in that order.

Richard Jones: I start by cutting rough timber about three inches longer than the parts required to allow for planer snipe. Flatten the plank on one face, square one edge, then rip the width from the straightened edge. Straighten and square the freshly exposed edge of the plank on your jointer, then put it through the thickness planer. Lastly, cut the parts to their requisite length.

Michael R. Van Pelt: To sum up, cut to safe rough length, rip if necessary, joint one face, joint one edge, plane to thickness, rip to width, crosscut to exact length.

Editor's Note: The May/June print issue of the Woodworker's Journal has a great article "10 Steps to Perfectly Surfaced Stock" that addresses this question and more ... like how to handle twisted, warped and cupped lumber.