Where to get wood

[lyall]

if you are looking for wood for turning - look around for somebody in your area that burns for heat. OR check with a local tree service. I have seen several pieces of burs cut off and laying by the curb.

[popjack]

Two references I've found useful are:
http://www.woodfinder.com/

The other is an article found in an old issue of Fine Woodworking magazine.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/2007/09/ ... ryard-list

Hopefully, this is helpful to you.

[charlese]

Welcome to the forum! When looking for wood, this site is sometimes very useful -- http://www.woodfinder.com/

[garys]

Woodfinder doesn't find anything in my entire State, and yet I have one of the finest hardwood suppliers in the US about 2 miles from my house. I can buy any species of domestic or imported wood right here. I suggest that you forget looking on the internet and get out your local phone book. That way you find suppliers near you instead of hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Also, watch your local buy-sell sites. I get most of my wood from people who have it sitting in their garages and want to sell.

This morning I'm running out to take a look at a 100-150 board feet of butternut, cherry, and oak that is for sale in a local guy's garage. If it is nice, it is coming home with me and going into my shop.

EDIT:
I just got back from my run. I bought 140 board feet of lumber.
Butternut 90 bd ft
Red Oak 30 bd ft
Cherry 20 bd ft
The cherry is rough sawn and needs to be planed. The butternut and oak is already planed. Boards run from 4-9" wide and 4-8' long.
The guy wanted $200 for the load, so I have about $1.40 per bd ft invested. Now I need to start planning my winter projects.

[charlese]

The issue with Woodfinders is - wood dealers have to subscribe to it. It isn't a free service to wood dealers. When the building and renovation effort in the U.S. dramatically decreased, (same as the banking/mortgage fiasco) there was a drastic slowdown and stopping of subscriptions.

As the economy improves, wood will become easier to find.

[Palmc]

I will start looking around thanks. How long should you let fresh felled logs dry?

[beeg]

How long should you let fresh felled logs dry?

Depends upon what the final use is, but about 1 year per inch for drying.

[garys]

Fresh cut logs should be cut into boards as soon as possible to prevent cracking. Then, follow the recommendations for drying or get them to a kiln and have the cut boards dried there.

[charlese]

It is best to saw logs into boards before they cure. Some end checking will occur because of time taken between logging and sawing. If logs are cut to be longer than the intended lumber, most end checks are not a defect in the lumber. End checking can also be found in boards that were improperly dried.

Sawmills used to use ponds of water to store logs before chaining them into the saws. This was mostly done because logs were floated to the mill via water bodies. Also pine was kept wet to avoid getting blue stain, which happens as pine drys slowly. Later on - ponds gone - decks of pine logs were watered with irrigation systems to prevent blue stain.

One of the notable situations in log decks happened when cottonwood logs were dry decked for a year or more. The logs sprouted branches- some of these sprouts were inches in diameter and several feet long. Almost like the polarding system of forest management practiced in the old countries and in landscaping systems.

[pathrunner]

I know Woodcraft is expensive, but you can often find a bargain there. I go a couple of times a month to find cuts, clearance, and every now and then get a coupon for like 25% off. I've gotten out with things like Veneer for less than the price on Amazon at times. Amazon is also a good way to go to. I think the key for Woodcraft is not going there with preconceived expectations on what you are going to walk out with. I've walked out empty handed sometimes, and walked out with some amazing deals too.