Replies

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Nov 02, 2003 12:33am | #1

   Unfortunately, good hardwood suppliers are not in every city. Even some of the bigger cities have only a small one. Your best bet is ask around your new home. Lots of people are hobbyists, ans some may know of a source.

   The next best bet is to check Woodfinder.....

   http://www.wdfinder.com/

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.
2. 
   PlaneWood | Nov 02, 2003 03:43am | #2

   No problem - when you find a place, eventho some distance away, just buy 100+ bf at a time.  i.e. - minimize the number of trips.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

3. 
   BobSmalser | Nov 02, 2003 04:36am | #3

   http://www.sawmill-exchange.com/index.htm

    

   http://www.mobilemfg.com/

    

   http://www.baileys-online.com/

    

   http://www.woodmizer.com/welcome.html

    

    

   Check the phonebook and the mill manufacturers/sellers for portable sawmillers locally.  The mill builders are happy to provide names of local guys who own their mills.  Local tree service guys will know of them, too. Few advertise.  Combine an arborist and a millowner and you'll have an inexpensive source of as much airdried stock you like.  Lotta oaks in CA...and a lotta dead ones, too, from that new disease down there.

    

   If ya get some, call back and I'll tell you how to dry it.

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/1/2003 9:39:07 PM ET by Bob

1. 
   DAC | Nov 03, 2003 09:42am | #6

   Thanks to all the good suggestions...   looks like its a new kind of "networking" that will get the job done!  

   I just got the FW issue on how to square rough cut lumber -- I've got the tools described , except for a band saw to re-saw the boards....- already had to "re-square" the stuff I picked up at HomeDepot... and to lesser extent a San Jose place (Southern Lumber -- not shy on their prices).

   I'm off to try the woodfinder web site...  !

   dac.

1. 
   Marv | Nov 03, 2003 07:45pm | #7

   I haven't used this company, but thier products look great.

   http://www.boulterplywood.com/You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

   Marv

4. 
   fdampier5 | Nov 02, 2003 07:54pm | #4

   someone else listed sources for wood..

     please don't dismiss it..  it's a really great deal..    you may not need the 250 bd.ft. of a partcular kind of wood that you get a steal on but there is no law that says you can't trade some of what you have for some other wood..

          Here's the economics.. I found 2500 bd.ft. of 5/4 ash  (that's 1 1/4 thick)   that I bought for 15 cents a bd.ft.    ($375.oo)   My sister got some and a wood working friend got the rest..   My sister traded part of it to the mill who turned hers into flooring and  the friend traded some of it for some red oak..

     So my sister for $150 dollars got enough wood to put hardwood floor on her second floor, over $3500.00 worth of wood flooring for $150.

   my woodworking friend got enough red oak to build several giant entertainment centers  (and sell them for over $1500 each)  plus he still has enough left to do several projects.. all for a hundred dollars and a little labor.

           Not all of my deals are so great..

     some are better..

    there was a thread here about 7 cents a bd.ft. cherry.   not too long ago..

     It's real,  the only reason you don't hear of it is because very few sawmills advertize.  The insiders get the deals and the first pick of all the really special cuts..   I mention it because I'm a woodaholic.. I have more wood than I can possibly use in the foreseeable future.. frankly I need someone else to get the good deals so  I don't have to take them all.

5. 
   Telemike | Nov 03, 2003 07:57am | #5

   You can't find hardwood everywhere. Look in the big central valley cities - each has a few hardwood suppliers that supply everyday hardwoods like cabinet shops use. If you want exotics or anything unusual, save your money and your needs and to to berekely or SF and pick from a really big selection. Or try the web - be ready for high shipping costs and high minimum orders.

   There are some local sawyers - a post above gave some idea.

   It's a shame. The hills around you are full of madrone, black oak, tanoak, maples, and lots of soft woods. Hard to find lumber though, though. Good luck.