Replies

1. 
   bones | Dec 24, 2007 07:17am | #1

   Check out http://www.woodweb.com.  Lots of people post lumber there for sale from all over.

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
2. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 25, 2007 02:07am | #2

   Check http://www.woodfinder.com you may be surprised at how many nearly local sources you can find. 

1. 
   dynamwebz | Dec 25, 2007 06:46am | #3

   Thanks for the reply.

   Unfortunately no new sources. In RI there are very few rough sawn wood distributors. Not enough demand I guess.

   Downes and Reader appear to be the biggest and best in the entire region for retail. They carry about 50 different species. It's like going to the home depot of rough cut lumber. Was just hoping for some closer competition I didn't know about. Found 1 in Narragansett RI that looks promising but definately not to scale with D&R. And still over an hour drive.

   (in Rhode Island, driving more than 10 miles is considered a road trip)

   Edited 12/24/2007 10:47 pm ET by dynamwebz

1. 
   Wingdoctor | Dec 26, 2007 05:47am | #4

   I understand that it would be nice if the supplier was closer. I guess it depends on where you are as to what is described as close. I'm in Columbus, Ohio and live far south in the city. We have 2 woodworking stores, Woodcraft and Wood Werks, and both are 30 plus minutes each way if the traffic is not bad. Late afternoon trips would take closer to your long trip of an hour.

   I make a periodic trip to Holmes County Ohio to Yoder Lumber to buy rough lumber and it is 2 and 1/2 hours each way. With todays gas prices I try to buy as much as I can see using in the immediate future to help justify the cost of the trip. It is really a fun trip though when I see the large selection and great prices. And the Amish cooking we stop for is fantastic!

   Hope you find someone close.

   Merry Christmas!!

   Bruce

1. 
   kreuzie | Dec 30, 2007 02:18am | #9

   Bruce--

   How did you find the quality of Yoder's wood.? I stopped in there on the way to New Philadelphia, Ohio, and their selection and prices were good. I'm thinking of buying 400 feet of hickory for a start on my kitchen.

   It's about 250 miles round trip, and with driving a 3/4 ton pickup at $3 per gallon, I figure I'd still save about $160 over the local sawmill!

   Don't forget WoodWerks' expo in January.

   Is the woodworking show (that same weekend) at the state fairgrounds worth going to anymore? I've read some negative stuff about it.

   Thanks!

   Dave

    

    

    

    

1. 
   Wingdoctor | Dec 30, 2007 02:42am | #10

   Yoder's quality is great! I have been able to grab some really nice cherry, maple, ash, walnut and other species at good prices. I try to make a list of what I think I will need for 3 or 4 months and buy it all at one time. I drive up from Columbus and it is 2 1/2 hours or so each way. If you buy more that 200 bf of a species there is a bit of a price cut. I usually deal with Kevin Engstrom and he is a nice guy. Their pricing schedule is based on you taking lumber off of the top of the stack, no picking. If you want to pick and choose you pay the 1-200 bf price. I haven't had any problems taking the lumber off the top. If you pay cash they give you a 3% discount.

    

   I always stop at Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen in Mt. Hope for lunch when we go to Yoder's. Great food and no waiting.

    

   I just got Wood Werks Expo flyer today. As usual they have nearly everything on sale. Ron Damien is always helpful and informative and I have bought a bunch of stuff from him. I did go to the Woodworking Show last year, first time, and I found a few things to buy. As it was my first time there I don't have any previous shows to compare to. I'll probably go again on Saturday. Last year Yoder Lumber was there with some short lengths of fancy stock and I picked up some qs Sycamore to make a jewlery box from. Nice stuff and reasonable.

    

    

   Have a great New Year.

2. 
   frenchy | Dec 26, 2007 10:29am | #5

   dynamwebz, 

    Don't you leave the state if you drive more than 10 miles <Grin>   actually check with woodmiser they keep a list of owners who have their machines..

1. 
   dynamwebz | Dec 26, 2007 03:36pm | #6

   east to west is 37 miles and north to south is 48 miles.

   That's why going to the mall is a day trip.

1. 
   frenchy | Dec 26, 2007 06:17pm | #7

   dynamwebz,

     I knew it was something like that..  Totally differant culture out east than back here. I casually put on 300 or 400 miles per day as a normal part of my job.  I think nothing of a 2200 mile jaunt to San Diego. (one way)  and will do so at the drop of a hat..   Further west 400 miles isn't even one way to the next major town!

3. 
   joepez | Dec 27, 2007 05:08am | #8

   Dynamwebs,

   I live just north of Providence in Glocester. I agree with you that downs and reader has the selection when needed, but have you tried the Woodcraft in East Greenwich?

   I picked up some cypress and cedar there in 4/4 s2s and it was competitive with downes and reader.

   also, try kozela's in coventry, they carry some fairly broad selection.

   joe p

4. 
   forestgirl | Dec 30, 2007 03:19am | #11

   There could easily be a mill or two that aren't listed in those web sources.  I would suggest you post in as many US woodworking forums as you can find, and use a more specific title to catch the local eye, such as Lumber source, Prov. RI???  It might even be worthwhile to repost here at Knots with such a title, really keyed to someone knowledgeable about the area.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)