Manufacturing Your Own Floorboards

Question:

Hello,

I’m a librarian at the University of Minnesota. I have a patron who is looking for information on manufacturing his own floorboards (taking rough sawn board and making it into floorboards). Do you know where I might find some information specific to this? He is also wondering about using red Elm.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Beth

Answer:

Dear Beth

Seeing how you are a LIBRARIAN, (one of the best and not often appreciated “search engines” we have). The best primer on making your own wood floors is to read and understand the articles in “Fine Wood Working on Wood and How to Dry It” by the good folks at Taunton Press. It may be out of print by now but here is the isbn : 0-918804-54-X. Ohm and this book does have a good article about the Elm.

As always your Most humble servant, Joseph, the Wood Floor Doctor.