How thick rough boards to start with before planing

[Jameshow]

If you can buy sighted wood then you might find that you can get away with 27mm timber and take a mil off each side making 25mm.

If you keep the best 3 boards for your sides and foot board, the rest are relatively unseen?

 

[Sgian Dubh]

We'd better combine our experiences, then, rather than being in opposition!

Might be an idea, although we are fairly distant geographically. I'm not sure we were ever opposing one another, though: just offering what we know. Slainte.

 

[Tony Works Wood]

Depends on how flat the boards are, and if there is any twist in the boards. If the boards are flat and not twisted, you can get away with 1/4" inch or 6mm above finished size or getting away with having one good face. BUT that depends on how deep the rough-cut saw marks are in the timber. It's all hands-on experience when picking lumber from a lumber yard. Tony