Paul in NJ
>I might have the opportunity to have some beech custom sawn for plane stock. Anyone have suggestions on how to cut for optimum yield? My goal is to make a variety of planes that are difficult to find in the profile or pitch that I want. I am pretty well set on bench planes but I am not ruling out making a smoother or two. I am thinking of 5/4 and 8/4 quarter sawn with some 16/4 either quarter or completetly flat sawn. I understand beech may twist and cup a lot when drying. Is there an optimum length for drying efficiently and minimizing loss to end checks? I plane to coat the ends, sticker, and cover the pile for air drying.

Paul Dzioba