: So my question is would it work to glue two 3/4" x 3.5" hardwood
: boards together and effectively end up with a 2X4? I'm assuming that
: finished hardwood would be straighter and obviously stronger, and the only
: problem I can foresee is a tougher time screwing the form-holds in. Anyone
: tried this or have any other ideas? I don't have a table saw, but my cedar
: supplier cut the strips for me last time and may be nice enough to let me
: use his saw to build this providing it doesn't take too long. Any
: suggestions or comments are appreciated.

You dont "need" a table saw (or even a circular saw) to "cut" sheet goods. Get a straight edge that you can use for a guide for your router and cut the sheet stuff with that. You can use one edge of another sheet and cut off a more portable straightedge guide from the first sheet and use that from then on. Use a small diameter bit when doing this to avoid excess waste. 1/4" should work fine. If you only have one sheet, then use a 2X4 as a temporary guide to get the guide strip and then use the straight edge of the guide strip to clean up the wavy edge that the 2X4 will leave.

Once you have the edge guide, just router/cut off some more strips that you'll need to make your beam in the right size widths. I'd use thinner material than 3/4" and make a box beam rather than a laminated beam. The box beam will be much stronger and less flexible.