Replies

1. 
   ccampbell | May 14, 2002 09:42pm | #1

   BADOYN,

   I don't live in St. Louis, but I'm pretty close in Kansas City.  I consider myself a beginner, but would be glad to share any of my experiences with you.  I would encourage you to lean on the people on this site, though.  They are a wealth of information!

1. 
   badoyn | May 15, 2002 05:04am | #2

   Thanks for the reply. I've been lurking on the list for a week or so and have already gleaned tons of useful information. I'll keep hanging out here and asking my novice questions, even if I come across looking more stupid than I am...if that's possible. :o)

1. 
   craigmoe | May 15, 2002 08:11am | #3

   There are quite few woodworkers in the St. Louis area (including myself).  There is actually a St. Louis Woodworkers Guild that meets monthly at the Woodcraft store on Olive, west of 270 (I believe this is still accurate).  I used to be a member, but I have been too busy lately to find time for the meetings.  It is a great place to meet some local woodworkers and there is a wealth of experience and knowledge available among the members.  The Woodcraft store usually has a copy of the latest St. Louis Woodworkers Guild newsletter.  Good luck with whatever projects you start, and let me know if you have any questions.  I am only a part-time woodworker (although I would love to be a full-time professional someday), but hopefully I might be able to answer a few questions.

1. 
   badoyn | May 15, 2002 05:28pm | #4

   Great. Thanks for the input. I didn't know there was a woodworkers club. I'll have to check it out.

   First question: Where do you buy your wood, such as quartersawn oak, redwood, baltic birch? I, of course, would like good prices, but since I'm a novice I would like to be educated and get good wood and not be a patsy.

   Thanks again.

1. 
   craigmoe | May 16, 2002 03:53pm | #5

   I buy my lumber from various places, depending on what I'm looking for.  It will also probably depend somewhat on where you live.  For mahogany or exotic species I prefer Hibdon Hardwoods, which is located downtown.  Since I live in Sunset Hills, I also frequent St. Louis Hardwoods on Watson, Action Hardwoods in Kirkwood, and Schaller Hardwoods on Green Park Rd.  It usually depends on species, pricing and availability.

   For several domestic species, and especially qtrsawn white oak, you will have a hard time finding any better pricing, quality and service than you can get from Wunderworks Custom Sawmill near 270 & McDonnell.  Scott Wunder is a one-man operation with a bandsaw mill and he cuts lumber from trees that would probably go to waste, if he didn't save them.  He also has a large planer, jointer and tablesaw, so he will sell lumber that is surfaced, jointed and ripped if requested.  He will also sell it rough if you plan ahead.  Based on his source of supply, he may not always have every species in stock, but if you can plan ahead, his lumber is hard to beat.  I recently had him resaw some mahogany for me and surface it to 1/8" and he did a great job for a fair price (none of the bigger shops were interested).  Scott's number is probably in the phone book under Wunderworks or Scott Wunder.  If you can't find his number, send me an email at [email protected], and I will find it for you.  Good luck, and I hope this helps.

   Craig

2. 
   badoyn | May 16, 2002 05:15pm | #6

   Thanks for the info. I'm going to go on a fieldtrip soon and visit all the stores, especially Wunderworks. I have a friend who builds houses and he's always removing trees, some pretty large, that I was thinking of having saw into rough boards.