Shopsmith Forums

One thing you might try would be to contact some cabinet shops in your area. Many here will add a bit to their large purchases to provide you with what you need. And some will even sell it to you for what they pay which saves you quite a bit because they get a discount by buying in bulk.

Worth a shot.

Hi again Jason,
For businesses that claim to cater only to contractors, I suggest that you tell them you are a specialty cabinet and woodworking business. If that does knot work, how much wood it cost to get a business license? In my state of WA, I started a business and had to pay a one time charge (less then $100) to set up that business. If you are a business whose work is inspected, like a building contractor, plumber or electrician; then you must get an annual license. Once you have that business license, you can show it to those wholesale companies and they should sell to you.

One of Gary K's neighborhood stores is "Integrity Wood Products" http://www.integritywoodproducts.com/ The good thing for me is, I can order any amount of many species of any size. They will get it in stock in a week or so. We may think the price is high, but it is available - can be ordered rough or partially planed, or planed S4S.

It is MUCH less expensive than big box stores, and can be ordered to fit needs. They will mail small amounts of shorter stock, but is within a reasonable driving distance in the L.A. basin, especially since gasoline is now under $2.

Jason's question really hit home for me. I have been especially fortunate living in the Harwood part of Virginia. I have a client who cuts trees for a living. Recently he invited me out to pick what ever harwoods I desired. No charge. I have never seen bigger piles of numerous varieties of hardwoods anywhere. The road into his place was hazardous. The signs suggested no one was welcome and the dogs who greated me backed that up in spades. I stockup up on more wood for turning than I can use in the next five years. If I had a mill and space for kiln I could do well on my harwood purchases in the future. Those pieces will most certainly increase the cost of my move to Denver.

Jason I am originally from Denver and my family has done business with Frank Paxton Lumber for over 50 years their prices are high and quality is the best.

Front Range Lumber is another place I am familiar with. They do prefer catering to the builders. I have in the past bought wood from them and always been happy. Given the cost of wood I am tempted to make periodic trips to Virginia and stock up. Unless fuel prices return to the stratasphere that may be my best option after moving.

As we are in Denver for the holidays and drove by Front Range today I especially enjoyed reading your post. Perhaps after we move you and I can visit ocassionally. fjimp

One thing more you might check out - make the acquaintence of some of your local junior high or high school shop teachers. Those are guys who buy wood on a very tight budget, and have turned me on to some great, small local hardwood dealers where I can buy local lumber at very reasonable prices.

John in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks

Thank you all so very much for your time and research on my behalf! Everyone on this forum are so absolutely amazing. I am really looking forward to putting all the great suggestions in this thread to good use.

I appreciate the local ideas, as well as the ideas that can be employed to find good wood sources in any location.

Simply amazing. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a prosperous and sawdust filled New Year!!!

you might try looking on Craigslist in the Materials area.
around here there are occasional ads by individuals with kilns, cabinet shops going out of business, and one guy who appears to be making deliveries to some retail stores who offers to bring individuals orders from the kiln that is somewhere in the Carolinas.

Ivan

Luckily I have a lumber yard that carries hardwood and exotic species, as well as building supplies.
It is pricy, but its there.
Interestingly they don't show up on the woodfinder list when I punch in a general search so like someone said, some leg work at your local dealers may give you some results.
Good luck searching, i would think that the Denver area would have some suppliers to choose from.