Best Wood For Framing?

[bateman]

Okay, seems like my local big box stores carry nothing but junk for timber The "sales" guy even told me that poplar wood came from pine trees! Anyway, even though I am mechanically proficient I have not done much wood work so I am no expert on these things and do not want the trailer to fall apart because I used bad wood. What do you guys recommend as far as the type of wood and if I should step up the thickness of any replaced pieces?

[Shasta Bea]

I would recommend NOT going to the big box stores. I have always had good luck hunting down local craftsman and using their resources. There always seems to be a good mill shop around who, if they don't have it themselves, will find a way to get it for you. Post your location - forum members may have suggestions in your area

[franksshasta]

I would have to say that the method of jointery is probably just as if not more important than the type or quality of wood that you use. Do yourself a favor and get a Kreg pocket hole jig. They are the best for this application IMHO. Pine usually comes in three grades: utility, quality, and select. Forget the select. Who needs clear pine in a wall. Besides it's as expensive as red oak. Utility is usually full of knot holes and twisted bowed and cupped. Quality boards have tight knots and are typically straight and about half the price of select. Kreg pocket holes, quality pine, and glue. You can't go wrong.

[bateman]

Thanks for the replies. I already have a Kreg Jig that I bought after reading this forum. To practice, I even built the world’s largest chinchilla cage for my son! I live in Diamond Bore California, so if anyone knows a place in the area for good lumber let me know.

[staryn]

I have been using a pocket hole jig on our Shasta and it has been great. Before we had the jig we were using a pneumatic stapler but that wasn't very satisfactory. The wood we have been using is Ponderosa Pine bought in 1"x12"x10' planks and we rip it down to the widths we need. I was lucky enough to locate a quality lumber dealership here in Austin, Brazos Lumber. We are going to use some Red Oak for the ceiling framework in hopes that it will not bend as much. It might be that any wood will eventually slump given those conditions.

[safetybruce]

Everybody has made great comments! The Kreg jig appears to be the tool to have and I liked the comment about using red oak for the ceiling framework. If fastened properly, I don't believe it will be too rigid that it might not flex enough and snap, although I am not a woodworker...or mechanically inclined, or electrically inclined...for that matter...guess that makes me "inclined challenged" in most aspects of rehabilitating vintage trailers...only thing I am NOT is..."enthusiasm challenged". Have fun with that frame work!

[elewayne]

I'm getting ready for framing myself. I am a professional woodworker though, but I'm here in Colorado now, instead of Houston, where I was for 35 years. I'm having trouble finding good sources for lumber here. I can't say if they don't exist or I just can't find them. I did go to a decent lumber yard today and found what they called #2 or better fir. this looked pretty good as the knots were no bigger than your finger print and tight. 2x4 studs were under $3 each. I plan to rip them down and use my planer to get them to 1" thick by 1 1/2". I want at least 1" insulation board. My trailer is 16 feet long and just framing with 3/4" seemed a little thin to me. May work just fine though, I don't know.
Wayne