Yes the practical way is to use a jointer and planer.You can buy milled wood at places like Home Depot.It is expensive,but sometimes for small projects,it is a good solution.They sometimes have bins of hobby wood,this stuff is milled,about 2 ft.long,2 to 3 in.wide,and in thicknesses of about 3/8 to 5/8 or so.You might want to check into this stuff.