The Stock Preparation Process

There are eight steps, as outlined in Peter Korn's book, Working with Wood, to milling a board four-square. I like the way he describes it best because it is very step by step with no mystery, and he shows that there are a variety of ways to reach the same end result. That is very important. Experience teaches us that in woodworking, like most everything else in life, there is more than one way of doing things. Practice, and budget to a certain extent, help us decide which is the best way for us. You don't need every tool ever invented, just the ones that allow you to get the job done the way you feel most comfortable. After that, if you want to learn a different method, well that's up to you. In any event, Mr. Korn's description is excellent. It is short and to the point, more so I'm sure than this little essay.