Reply by CWWoodworking

I asked my local hardwood supplier what S2S would cost as compared to rough lumber. He gave example of oak 4/4. Rough would come in around $3+. S5S would come in around $9+. Ouch!

- Holbs

That would have been the last time I talked to that supplier. For 100 BF, they are charging $600 for a half hour of work. For 3$, I can specify what type of red oak and specify what region of the country it comes from, and put 50 cents/bf in my pocket, and have it planed/edged however I want. I dont use tons either.

My fondness for sander over planer stems from using a lot of glue up panels. I hate sanding/scraping. Plus the sander can be using as an edge sander for thinner stock.