How much wood do you need to make this chair?

I like to order at least 40bf of 8/4 lumber when I make a chair. If the lumber is perfect and you are making a small chair you might be able to get by with 36bf. Conversley, if the lumber is not great and you are making a large rocking chair - you might want to go up to 45bf.

The easiest way to calculate board feet, in my mind, is to convert board to cubic inches and then divide by 144 cubic inches, this will leave you with board feet.

For example if you have a board 12 feet long by 10 inches wide by 2 inches thick. (don't forget to multiply by two because we are using wood that is two inches thick!

First - convert all dimensions to inches - 12' X 12" = 144 inches in lengthX 10 inches in width (wide) X 2 inches thick  = 2,880 cubic inches.  Dividing that by 144 cubic inches = 20 board feet.

 You would need two of these boards to make a rocking chair.

This is Gary A. out in Kansas City, if I remember correctly, with enough cherry for a lovely rocking chair. He bought this wood from Good Hope Hardwoods out in Pennsylvania.