Replies

1. 
   GHR | May 31, 2005 08:32pm | #1

   If I spend an hour any place I spend at least $1000. Often $2000.

2. 
   Bioman | May 31, 2005 08:48pm | #2

   Was it prices, a lack of good choices or just a generalized malaise?

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 31, 2005 09:22pm | #4

   I thought I saw some malaise tickred there  About 222.0 a Board foot!

   NA!  Really nice folks there.. I just did not see what I wanted..

   I like the place because most of the 'sticks' are marked with the price.. BIG feature to me!.. I see a board I like.. sort of warped.. Is it worth more than the time to flatten and end up with with a skinni' stick..

   I HAVE NO complaints wit OWL..  Great folks!

    I even walked out without anybody bugging me.. I did NOT have a 33 foot hunk of 12 inch Ebony dragin' brhind me!

   Edited 5/31/2005 2:26 pm ET by Will George

   Edited 5/31/2005 2:28 pm ET by Will George

3. 
   jazzdogg | May 31, 2005 09:06pm | #3

   spring[early]wood fever?

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

4. 
   frenchy | Jun 01, 2005 02:19am | #5

   Will George,

    hello my name is Frenchy and I'm a woodaholic..

     What will power!

    I visit a sawmill for 15 minutes and I buy thousands of board feet.. Show me a board with some character, a little differant grain and I have to have it!

     My daughters bedrooms are part wood storage and part bedroom, my living room, the kitchen, the hallway and the driveway all suffer from an abundance of wood.. 30,000 bd.ft and still I order more!

     

5. 
   JeffHeath | Jun 01, 2005 03:38am | #6

   Will

   You've got to get out more.  Owl is one of the most overpriced sources for hardwood around Chicagoland.  You need to get out to the country, and find some of the small mills.  Of course, if you just need a little, then no big deal.

   I don't like the fact that Owl surfaces all their lumber.  They never flatten one side, so the boards look like the Kennedy Expressway (winding highway for those not from around here), nice and curvy with parallel sides.

   For exotics, they can't be beat around here, but next time you need something, drop me a line.  If it's in maple, cherry, walnut, or the oaks, I'll set you up for a lot less.

   Jeff

1. 
   KS | Jun 01, 2005 05:53am | #7

   JHeath,I could use a cheaper source of maple or Cherry. I had to stop going to owl hardwood lumber to save up for nice hand tools.KS

2. 
   Brett | Jun 01, 2005 07:52pm | #8

   Hello Jeff,

   I am a Chicago Area woodworker looking for an alternative to Owl. What would you suggest?

   Thanks. Brett

   Edited 6/1/2005 12:56 pm ET by baval18

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jun 02, 2005 03:19am | #9

   baval18

   You have Kettle Morraine hardwoods just over the Wisconsin border off 294 at 7 Mile Rd exit, and there is Badger Hardwoods in Wisconsin on Route 14, just past Walworth.  GC Mill, in Woodstock, Illinois, on Rt. 14, is hit or miss, but the prices are good.  Kettle Morraine is very good, has a large amount of lumber in stock, and it's all available rough sawn.

   Jeff

2. 
   GHR | Jun 03, 2005 03:38am | #11

   I have not visited these people, but they seem to know the correct way to treat lumber ...http://www.logs-to-lumber.com/200bdft of walnut and cherry should only cost about $1200 delivered to your door.This fellow may be able to beat their prices (I have not visited him either):http://www.woodfinder.com/listings/012869.php

3. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 02, 2005 07:49pm | #10

   Will

   You've got to get out more.  Owl is one of the most overpriced sources for hardwood around Chicagoland. 

   Hell, I HAVE LOOKED FOR BETTER.. NONE I can find!

   At least they got what I want! Prices MUCH better en' a big box!

   EDIT:: My old truch is to broke to get to Wisconsin!

   Edited 6/2/2005 12:51 pm ET by Will George

4. 
   philip | Jun 04, 2005 11:38am | #15

   Jeff,
   "they never flatten one side"--- are you saying that they just put boards rough sawn through the thicknesser (planer)?
   I had never even conceived of such a heretical practice until I came to N.Zee and see that it is common here....

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jun 05, 2005 05:06am | #16

   mookaroid

   Yep.  The stock is just run through the planer.

   Jeff

1. 
   philip | Jun 05, 2005 05:40am | #17

   I suspected that was the case.
   Somebody needs to point out to them that this is counter productive?

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jun 05, 2005 05:43am | #18

   This is one of the largest, if not the largest supplier of hardwood lumber, RETAIL, in the entire Chicago area.  Talking to them is like talking to a brick wall.

   Jeff

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 05, 2005 09:07pm | #19

   TRUE.. I have tried.. They just smile and I go off lookin' at more wood...

6. 
   Handrubbed | Jun 04, 2005 03:12am | #12

   Owl is by far the most accessible place for wood around Chicago.  They also show you a fair number of boards which you can examine at your leisure.  I would say that I am successful there about one of every two trips.  If the guy before you buys a lot, your are out of luck.  I buy mostly quarter-sawn white oak.  If anyone knows of a good source (Owl is just so-so), please post it here.  I need highly figured boards.  I think Owl takes the center cuts out of their plain sawn lumber and sells it as quarter sawn.  I doubt if they actually quarter any logs.  Their prices have risen pretty dramatically this year also.  But on the other hand, I would lost without them when I have got to have wood.  Hey, let's open a wood store!

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 04, 2005 03:44am | #13

   Hey, let's open a wood store!

   So open I have to talk to the lady chastiser'' She is a FOX!

   Nothing hatefull here  I just find the Own folks... really nice.. I will pay extra for nice folks to deal with....

   Edited 6/3/2005 8:48 pm ET by Will George

1. 
   Handrubbed | Jun 04, 2005 04:03am | #14

   Huh?