Don’t know where to start. Trying to selling a collection of raw hardwood for my Dad who is moving.
Hello,
I hope this post isn’t in the wrong place or something that these forums hate to see. I apologize in advance.
My dad is moving out of his home and has a large collection of old hardwoods from when he was wood working in the 70s. He is moving into a smaller place without a garage or shop and doesn’t know what to do with this and I’m trying to help him figure it out. A lot of these are really large pieces.
He is from the Bay Area, and mentioned Japan Wood worker might be a start but I can’t find them, I believe they must have closed.
Any advice is welcome, in the collection he describes Coco Bolo, Burmese Rose Wood Australian Lacewood, Purple Heart, Walnut Slab and Black Ebony among others.
I’m extremely appreciative of anyones time who looks at this as I no idea where to start. But we have a big collection Fine Woodworking in the garage so that led me here.
Replies
That's a lot of nice looking wood. There is a Woodcraft Supplystore near you, and I would ask them for advice. If I was selling, I'd probably list on Craigslist.
Thank you John!
I wanted to add an updated my Dad wrote for me that might add some more information. He thinks the a lot of the wood is Dalbergia Oliveri if not possibly the majority. And most of the wood are large pieces, not sure if you can tell from the pictures, some 8ft+.
His addition in quotes
“This wood was imported from Singapore in the early 1980’s.
It was rough logs from a furniture company that made high
end work for the Japanese market.
When the wood came through customs I was contacted by the
forestry dept of the University of Michigan as they did not have a
specimen of this species in their archives. I did send them some samples. They responded and said it was, at that time, only the second import they had on record of it coming into the US. That was then and I don’t know what’s happened in the interim. I realize this wood is in high demand in China at the moment as it is the wood originally used to make make Imperial furniture in the classic dynastic periods in China. I was aware of that when I originally imported the wood and was a motivating factor.
The logs I then had milled to what you see here. I did make a few pieces of furniture for myself at the time and sold some of the minor trimming pieces to ’The Japan Woodworker’ back at that time when they were located in Alameda. The balance is what you see in these photos.
I include a couple of photos of a table I made so you can get an idea of the finished wood.”
Thanks again everyone for all your help!
If this where in my area I would have found it on Kijiji or Craig’s list and made an offer, seems like a fine properly stacked pile of nice
wood.
Is it one rack or two racks of wood?
The "bay area"? Which Bay Area?
Thank you so much to everyone who replied!
It is two racks measuring approximately 150 by 90 by 26. The wood is in Monterey, CA now, but my dad grew up and lived Oakland, CA so that's where the Bay Area description came from. Sorry for any confusion.
I would post it on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, with a title like "retired woodworker's exotic wood stash" that conveys what's for sale. Your ad should describe the species, typical thicknesses/widths and approximate amounts of each available--your dad should be able to write that part, but even your post here is a pretty good start. And you should include some photos that give people confidence this stuff has been properly stored all these years and isn't just a jumble of junk--the photos you posted here, with the neat stacks and stickering, accomplish that. You/your dad can research what each species is selling for at the retail level by finding some hardwood dealers that cater to small scale buyers and post prices online. I'm not qualified to opine on what prices you should ask relative to a commercial source, but I bet that in a market as big as the Bay Area you'll find interested buyers who will be happy to pay for, and make good use of, the wood your dad passionately acquired all those years back.
Thank you very much such a detailed response. Gonna follow your advice. Trying to organize a craigslist post now, but I'm commuting from Napa to Monterey every time I need to help him at his house so there's a few days in-between when I need to do something in person for him. And he really is hoping it goes to someone or a collective who will do beautiful things with it instead of a reseller.
Everyone has been really great in their responses and it means a lot.
Try this association:
Bay Area Woodworking Association
PO Box 2764
Menlo Park, CA 94026-2764
Website: http://www.geocities.com/bawanewsletter/
Thank you very much! I emailed them.
That is a nice stack of exotic woods. If only I lived in "the bay area". You should be able to get a pretty penny if it is in nice condition.
Well I'm in the Bay Area . I don't know if you can private message me but we should talk.
Thanks for the reply! I can't figure out a way to private message, but it would be fine if you would to email me at [email protected]. Appreciate your time.
Yes,Japan Woodworker is long gone. I'm in the North Bay but I can arrange a time to come look. You wouldn't happen be the person from Monterey selling the Delta Invicta planer would you? That's two reasons to make the journey! I also need to get some furniture to Southern California that I've been procrastinating doing. Monterey is on the way.
Unfortunately I am not the person selling the Invicta Planer, but I can try to be flexible about scheduling for sure.
I'll be down Sept 10 11 12 for the race track, I would love to get one of two for a table top!! black walnut?
I'm in lake Stevens WA , if you still have it.
I really appreciate your response. Unfortunately we are trying to move the collection as a whole just for ease of my dad but I will definitely keep you posted if anything changes.
The planer is in Monterey just the same. It's a long ride just for that and more often than not with used stuff you get there and find out that there's a reason you don't want it . I figured you would want to unload the lumber in one lot. If there's more than I want or can afford I was figuring I'd talk to a couple of people I know and we would buy it together..or maybe I'd skip that,depends on the inventory. I just had a vision of me doing all the work and some "partner" wanting all the good stuff! I'd drive down and have a look but unfortunately I got rid of my big truck so I'd have to rent something and come back if we come to a deal.
If you might post some way of contacting you personally, you might have some luck selling the lot.
I'm loathe to post any personal contact on a public board, but perhaps you might consider a throw-away address via gmail or a google phone number...
Thanks Hoover, I posted my email up above, [email protected] . I too am always scared to post personal contact, but the people here seem pretty great.
Hey Lenny
I would recommend that you try Georgia reclaimed wood, they will send a staff member to check out your collection if it matches their standards. The good thing is you do not have to worry about transportation means.
Thank you for tip! I will reach out.
Welcome Buddy!!
Please, wherever it goes could you post it here on the forum. This way those of us who only want a small amount can get some.
Thanks
I can tell your dad may have an attraction to wood much like myself. I love wood/working and would give my left nut for a hardwood collection like your dads, unfortionatly I doubt it wood do you any more good then it does me and I haven't pockets deep enough to make an offer that guilt wouldn't come back and haunt me over. I live in northern bay area and know the good folk at Mount Storm Forest (Hardwoods here in North Bay) and wood be happy to to pass your post or number along or inquire in your behalf if you like. Or you might give them a call, ask for Jim.
Do they have a site where i can check them on?
Know any luthiers there? Some of those woods might be very desirable to them. Ebony & rosewood for sure.
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