Replies

1. 
   Alan | Aug 01, 2004 12:13am | #1

   Jack,

   I've ordered from Wall lumber (walllumber.com) and I've been pleasantly surprised at the prompt service and the quality of the stock.

   My last order from them was white oak that they have in "UPS Bundles"; which is a fixed number of board feet in random length, up to about sixty inches IIRC; but with a surcharge you can get what length you need.

   All the stock I've gotten from them has been very good quality.  Their prices were in line with everyone else; a little less here, a little more there.  I have no hesitation ordering from them.

   Alan

1. 
   robert1 | Aug 01, 2004 12:18am | #2

   I recently ordered fom Wall Lumber some of their bird's eye maple and had no problems at all. I have ordered other species from them and the quality seems high.

2. 
   twoodward15 | Aug 01, 2004 12:54am | #3

   try e-bay, there is a guy in Kentucky offering all kinds of wood right now.  Call him up and see if he has some walnut.  Shipping would probably get you in the 500 dollar range for product and shipping combined.  Check it out.  I just type in "lumber" and change the search criteria to most expensive first.

3. 
   Jellyrug | Aug 01, 2004 02:10am | #4

   Jack,

   I have learnt the hard lesson too many times, so I don't buy lumber if I cannot hand select the stock.

   Where in So California are you?

   I'm in Central California and these are my sources:

   The Woodshed, Clovis CA (559) 298 9663 - not the cheapest, but excellent stock.

   http://www.bakerhardwoods.com - if you want to spend a lot of money and buy some higly figured slabs.

   http://www.wineland-walnut.com - wide variety to pick from.

   If you can spend a week-end in Arizona and want very good prices, with a wide variety to choose from http://www.woodworkerssource.com.

   For 4/4 "The Woodshed" will be your best choice.

   Willie

4. 
   AlbionWood | Aug 01, 2004 02:14am | #5

   Most walnut now is coming from orchards, so wide boards are scarce and knots are ubiquitous.  Walnut isn't even graded the same as other hardwoods - they allow a greater number of defects in FAS, just because clear boards are so rare.  Kind of a scam, really.

   The good news is that there are a number of walnut suppliers up here in Northern CA and some of them might be able to locate a few clear boards, if you are willing to pay the premium.  I have contact information for one guy, but there are many others:
   Konocti Walnut, 707-263-8303  [email protected]

   "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  A. Einstein

   http://www.albionworks.net

5. 
   migraine | Aug 01, 2004 08:24am | #6

   Try Austin hardwoods in Santa Ana(The woodworkers store I think it's called now)

   Reel lumber in anaheim off Kramer/91 1-800-675-7335.  If they don't have it on the floor talk to Filo or Arron about having the wholesale yard pull it for you

   Kelly right Hardwoods just down the street      -ask for Bob Ayala

   Weber Plywood in Tustin/Santa Ana

   Saroyan Hardwoods in Huntington Park

   Penberthy in Los Angeles area

   Cut and Dried in Solana Beach

   Orange County Lumber Co  in Santa Ana

   Ganahl Lumber in Anaheim, off Ball Road

   Too many others to try and remember and the brain ain't work'n right now

1. 
   JHall | Aug 01, 2004 11:57pm | #9

   Thanks Migrain.  Some of the names on your list I am familiar with and have already explored (e.g. Orance County Lumber).  I will definitely explore some of the others.  The other thing I have noticed is the wide range of prices I have encountered for the 4/4 walnut.  Anywhere from $4.50 to $9.80 a bdft.  It seems such a price spread is unusual for hardwood lumber in the same local area.  Thanks for the tips.

1. 
   migraine | Aug 02, 2004 05:13am | #11

   Actually, the prices do very that much in So Cal.  Many of the places I mentioned only buy "small time" through some of the other places mentioned.  Others charge "because they think they can"  There used to be a branch of Higgins Lumber in Riverside that thought they could charge the same prices as many of their sister branches in Northern Ca.  They eventually left the area. 

   My two favorites were Reel Lumber and Kelly-Right

   Now I'm dealing with the same problem as you, but in Wash.

6. 
   GHR | Aug 01, 2004 08:30pm | #7

   What are you willing to pay?

   $6/bdft + $1/bdft shpipping will get you all the clear 10" 4/4 you want.

1. 
   Jellyrug | Aug 01, 2004 10:55pm | #8

   Where?

   Who?

   Willie

2. 
   JHall | Aug 01, 2004 11:58pm | #10

   Yeah Gearge R.  Where?  Who?

7. 
   coolbreeze | Aug 02, 2004 05:21am | #12

   Jack,

   I have had good results with http://www.gobywalnut.com/.

   Their website will give you a lot of info on what they have. They deal mostly(if not exclusively in balck and claro walnut. They do an excellent job with veneering.

   Good luck.

   Cool