how thick would it be if you used 4 1x3’s

If you use four 1x3's, the thickness would depend on how you arrange them. If you place them side by side, the thickness would be 3 inches. However, if you stack them on top of each other, the thickness would be 4 times the actual thickness of one 1x3, which is typically around 0.75 inches. Therefore, the stacked thickness would be around 3 inches.

To determine the thickness, we need more information about how the 1x3s are being used. Please provide additional details or clarify your question.

To determine the thickness when using four 1x3 boards, we first need to understand the dimensions of a typical 1x3 board. A 1x3 board is typically a softwood board that measures 1 inch in thickness and 3 inches in width.

Since you mentioned using four 1x3 boards, we can assume that these boards will be stacked or combined together to form a thicker piece. To determine the final thickness, we need to consider how the boards will be arranged. Let's explore a few different scenarios:

Scenario 1: Stacking the boards

In this scenario, the four boards are simply stacked on top of each other. With each board being 1 inch in thickness, the total thickness would be 4 inches (1 inch x 4 boards = 4 inches).

Scenario 2: Gluing the boards

Alternatively, if you plan to glue the boards edge-to-edge, the thickness will be affected. When gluing multiple boards together, the glue lines and any slight variations in board thickness can impact the final thickness. This is because a small amount of material is typically removed during the gluing and planing process to create a smooth, flat surface. It's also important to consider the width of the glue joint and account for the loss of material due to planing.

As this scenario involves gluing and potentially planing the boards, the final thickness can vary depending on the specific technique and material removal. It's difficult to provide an exact measurement without more information about the specific woodworking techniques and processes being used.

Keep in mind that while these scenarios provide a general idea, the actual thickness of the final assembly will depend on various factors like the tolerances, woodworking techniques, and the specific boards that you are using.