When surfacing a number of pieces of stock, which sequence is recommended?

• A. Run the thickest pieces first
• B. Run the thinnest pieces first
• C. Randomly order
• D. Start with the ones easiest to plane

Answer: (A)

Surfacing multiple boards is all about controlling final thickness and surface quality across the run. The first pieces you plane determine how much material you’ve got left to work with and how aggressively you’ll need to set the cutting depth later.

Starting with the thickest pieces makes sense because they require the most material to be removed. Planing them first lets you use deeper, more efficient passes while you still have ample stock to maintain a consistent dimension. As you work through the boards and they become thinner, you’ll typically take lighter cuts, which helps keep the final thickness uniform and reduces the chance of ending up with pieces that are too close to the minimum thickness or that show inconsistencies.

Starting with thinner boards or random ordering would force you to adjust depth frequently and increases the risk of uneven results or finishing passes that are too shallow. Focusing on the thickest stock first provides a smoother, more controlled progression toward final, uniform dimensions.