Alder 8/4 Lumber

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Alder 8/4 Lumber

$8.49 /Board Feet

1-99 $8.49 /Bd. Ft.
100+ $6.37 /Bd. Ft. (25% off)
Tip: mix or match for your best price! Details

Pick Up In Store

Sorry, not available for online purchase at this time
Tempe
Tucson
Phoenix

About Lumber Sizes & Shipping Length Restrictions

Alder lumber comes in random sizes. Here's what you can expect.

4" to 6" Widths

Price shown is for a random selection of widths within this range. You can request specific widths or add a straight edge rip in the order form.

6' to 10' Lengths

This is the range of lengths that we might have in stock. The length you receive depends on how much you order.

Length Shipping Restrictions
84" (7') long max
We always try to ship the longest lengths possible.
8' to 12' long is possible
8' and longer can be shipped truck freight, but this method is usually economical only for shipments that are at least 450 lbs (approx 100-150 board feet depending on the wood).

1-13/16" Thickness

Also known as 8/4, S2S. Surfaced 2 sides (S2S) from rough sawn lumber. You should be able to yield approximately 1-3/4" thickness after you flatten, plane, shape or sand your project parts to fit your project.
Learn more in our blog: "What Does 4/4 Mean in Lumber?"

How Lumber Ordering Works

1

Decide how much you need in Board Feet. Best way to get help with this is to use our Project Planner worksheet

2

Consider how much extra you want for arranging grain or color, fixing mistakes, testing cut set ups or finishes.

3

Choose your size requirements, if you have any, in the order form.

About Alder (Alnus rubra)

View All Alder Products
Weight

2.33

lbs /Bd. Ft.
-34.92% lighter than red oak (3.58 /bd. ft.)
Hardness

590

Janka Rating
-54.26% softer than red oak (1290 psi)
Density

0.41

Specific Gravity
-35.94% less dense than red oak (.64)

General Workability
Easy 2/10
Red Oak

Wood Texture
V. Fine 2/10
Red Oak

Ease of Finishing
Good 4/10
Red Oak

map of where Alder tree grows
Alder is a domestic wood from North America

A soft, relatively low-strength, straight-grained, even-textured wood. Works well with hand and machine tools, but sharp cutting edges need to be maintained to prevent tearing the grain. The wood is rarely wider than 6 due to the small size of the trees.

color of Alder
Color Range
Pale Yellow to Reddish Brown.
the Alder tree
What's The Tree Like?
A relatively small tree, reaching about 50ft in height and producing a trunk in diameter up to 15".
other names for Alder
Other Names
Alder, Oregon alder, Pacific coast alder, Red alder, Western alder
uses for Alder
Some Typical Uses
Rustic furniture, entry doors, moldings, turning, carving, toys, plywood, veneer, cabinets, musical instruments.

Lumber 101: What to Know About Hardwood Lumber

lumber random widths Random Widths
You will cut and/or glue to create the sizes you need
rough sawn vs surfaced lumber Surfaced Smooth S2S
We buy rough sawn lumber and have it surfaced 2 sides (S2S) so you're ready to work
rough sawn vs surfaced lumber Kiln Dried
We stock kiln dried lumber and store it in a protected warehouse
rough sawn vs surfaced lumber 83%+ Clear
Unless stated otherwise, we stock Select & Better graded lumber that's at least 83% clear one side
  1. Pick a wood you like
  2. Decide how much you need
  3. Give us your specs (if you have any)

This is the unit of measurement for hardwood lumber when it's bought/sold in random widths and random lengths.

Board footage is a measurement of volume, and it's abbreviated Bd. Ft.

One board foot is equal to 144 cubic inches.

board foot formula

It's a fraction that refers to rough (RGH) sawn thickness of lumber, and it tells you approximately how many quarters of an inch make up the thickness.

Surfaced lumber is thinner because it started out as rough sawn but it's been planed smooth. Planing removes thickness.

Rough Sawn (RGH) Surfaced (S2S)
4/4 ~1" 13/16"
5/4 ~1-1/4" 1-1/16"
6/4 ~1-1/2" 1-5/16"
8/4 ~2" 1-13/16"
12/4 ~3" 2-13/16"

Unless otherwise specified, our lumber is "Surfaced 2 Sides" or S2S for short.

Check out our blog for the full explanation.

lumber thickness Lumber Compared
Various lumber thickness as compared to one another

If you can cut your own pieces to size, here's how we can help:

  1. Enter requirements into the order form where it says, "Minimum Size Request"
  2. Tell us what you want to acheive or make
  3. You will receive wood that can yeild what you need. (You will create the final size)
  4. We may need to contact you for clarification

You will cut and/or join your material to create the finished sizes you need. We'll pick out wood that will give you enough to do that. For this reason, the final amount of footage you receive in your order will be slightly different, and your final billed charge will be different.

If you want to only buy pieces of an exact size, that will be sold differently. Please contact us for a custom quote.

Sadly, wood cannot be 100% guaranteed to be clear on both sides all the time. Most of our lumber is graded "Select" and better, which means it's at minimum 83% clear on one side.
Hardwood grades explained
14 Reviews
91.4%
Overall
Pages 1   2   3
5
August 20th, 2021
Verified Buyer
n/a
Astoria OR
Alder perfect for my project
I received a beautiful piece of alder for a fireplace mantel project. It was very well wrapped and delivered quickly. I would definitely order here again. It was very nice to have a broad selection of choices available when making my selection.
5
September 26th, 2020
Verified Buyer
Steve
Georgia
One of my two go to ptplacees for quality hardwoods
The right size for the large molding trim I was making for a wall clock.
5
February 19th, 2020
Verified Buyer
Ryan Z
MN
Great looking wood
The small amount that I purchased was beautiful looking and will serve my project perfectly
5
September 2nd, 2019
Verified Buyer
Matts
Encinitas,Ca
Received wood shipment
Thanks for catching my error in measurement prior to shipping. The wood was great quality. When I opened the box a bright light protruded from inside the box and a loud harmonious sound came out...LLLLLAAAAAAA!!! It was truly amazing !
4
January 12th, 2019
Verified Buyer
Jon
boulder colorado
I ordered 5 board feet received less than 4
I was just sitting here trying to figure out how I can get the two guitar bodies I had planned for this wood, and just couldn't make it work. So I measured. Usually you guys treat me well, but I guess you are mad at me for some reason. I ordered and paid for (I think..) 5 board feet, but I recieved less than 4 board feet any way I measure.... You shorted me on some curly maple in the same order, but only by 1/2 a board foot.
4
November 28th, 2017
Verified Buyer
n/a
n/a
Alder review
I was mostly pleased with the order I made for this slab of 8/4 Alder. One problem I did have was, when placing the order, I saw that there was the option of ordering 'knotty' lumber at a reduced price. I chose the Alder that was supposed to not have knots, but when I received it, there were several knots throughout the slab. The Alder was for a guitar body, and I'll have to strategically piece the wings of the guitar to avoid the knotted sections. Otherwise I was very happy with the order, and I will certainly order from Woodworkers Source again.
Videos, Articles, and Project Photos to Help You Do Woodworking
What's 4/4, 8/4, 12/4, etc.?
Understanding hardwood lumber starts right here with these wacky fractions.
Lumber Grades Explained
If you're expecting perfect clear lumber 100% of the time, you're in for a surprise. Here's a summary of the hardwood lumber grades and what to expect from them.
3 Steps To Figure Out How Much Lumber You Need
Board feet isn't your everyday kind of math, but these three simple steps make it easy to figure out your project.
Project Planner Worksheet
Here's a handy (and free) Excel worksheet that helps you estimate the lumber needs for your project.
Understand Wood Toxicity & What You Should Do About It
Are woods poisonous? Hazardous to use in cutting boards or baby cribs? Find out here.
Wood Moves - Here's What You Need to Know
Wood is like a sponge, and it's always in a state of absorbing or releasing moisture to stay equalized with its environment. The problem with that is it also swells and shrinks. Here's what you need to know to protect your project.

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