The Result

If you have followed the steps with precision, you will end up with a perfectly formed piece that is precise in flatness and square, and the exact size you need. This may seem like it takes quite a while to do but I have found that my shop layout has changed somewhat to accommodate this, and with practice it is actually not that time consuming. What is time consuming is re-milling pieces after the project is half complete because the stock you are working with is not square or accurate and you can't get your joints to fit properly.

I have repeatedly hounded you on the issue of the face side and edge. While stock preparation is only the beginning of fine craftsmanship, continuing to pay attention to these all-too-important reference surfaces will also assist you in laying out the joints and milling them in later phases of your project.

Learning and applying underrated skills such as these will take the guesswork and fear out of common woodworking practices. Milling a board four-square, like any sound practice, will increase your level of craftsmanship and the quality of your projects. Like the foundation of a building, a four-square board is a basis on which to build accurate, durable, beautiful work.