Planking timber

[PabloPicasso]

I have some old teak doors and the timber from the doors is good, but too thick for a job I'm now planning. What is the easiest way to make thinner planks. I don't have a band saw or thicknesser, but do have hand saws, circular saw, jigsaw, planer, and a router.

I can't justify the expense of a band saw just now.

Could I just saw down the middle of the 2x4 to make 1x4 planks? I know I'll lose a bit in the cut but I think that'll be ok?

 

[tillergirl]

Go to your local decent timber merchants and ask them to do it for you. no doubt it would just cost you a drink for the operative. Assuming there are no old fastenings; if so they probably won't touch it.

 

[cliff]

I have some old teak doors and the timber from the doors is good, but too thick for a job I'm now planning. What is the easiest way to make thinner planks. I don't have a band saw or thicknesser, but do have hand saws, circular saw, jigsaw, planer, and a router.

I can't justify the expense of a band saw just now.

Could I just saw down the middle of the 2x4 to make 1x4 planks? I know I'll lose a bit in the cut but I think that'll be ok?

If you are accurate with your cutting you can cut with the circular saw then flip it over and cut form the opposite side (most decent circular saws have at least 2" depth of cut) giving 2 pcs 4" X ~1". If you only have a toy circular saw that cannot cut deep enough to manage in two passes then cut as deep as you can then finish the cut with a hand saw. Finish off the sawn surfaces with the planer.