Where's the Wood?

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:03 pm

One of my favorite websites for buying wood has long been:
http://www.nwwood.com

They are up in Washington State, so would be a great option for the OP. They do websales and ship as well and I've bought some great turning blocks from them in the past. THey've been in the middle of moving their location since last summer, so are currently shuttered but supposedly going to be back up and running soon - I haven't had a chance to call them and see when that will actually be.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:56 pm

dgale wrote:One of my favorite websites for buying wood has long been:
http://www.nwwood.com

They are up in Washington State, so would be a great option for the OP. They do websales and ship as well and I've bought some great turning blocks from them in the past. THey've been in the middle of moving their location since last summer, so are currently shuttered but supposedly going to be back up and running soon - I haven't had a chance to call them and see when that will actually be.

So much for SUPPORTING small businesses huh. They are moving the mill out of state.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:48 pm

beeg wrote:So much for SUPPORTING small businesses huh. They are moving the mill out of state.

I'm not sure what you really mean by this...I certainly always support my local small mills first and foremost, but I'm fortunate to live in a rural area with lots of timber and some great local mills and lumber yards that specifically cater to woodworkers and craftsman home builders. Many folks live in areas where they are not so fortunate and get stuck having to go to Home Depot and the like for their wood needs. NW Wood has always seemed like a really cool business and I have bought some really nice quality and properly dried Big Leaf Maple blocks for lathe turning from them. They also frequently had salvaged "ancient" wood and lots of very unique birdseye and similar, so are definitely a great resource.

Perhaps your comment was more geared toward the local gov't not supporting them...I don't know all the details of their headaches with Pierce County (Tacoma area) but I haven't seen anything specifically saying they are moving out of State but rather just relocating out of Pierce County. If they do leave the State, I presume it would be for northern Oregon.

Anyway, they've always seemed like a great source for very unique pieces of wood for woodworking, turning etc., and in the past I've found the postage costs very reasonable...of course I've only bought turning blocks from them - heavy but not long or excessively bulky. Certainly a great resource at least for those in the PNW once they get up and running again, and their website is worth checking once they are back in action for those that live farther away.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 6:23 pm

"This is due to the unreasonable amount of requirements by Pierce County to maintain our operation at this location. To keep the business here would cost us over $250,000 and we would be unable to use over half of the property."

THAT'S the part that I commented on. They also have this site, don't know if in addition or the replacement.
http://www.seakwood.com/

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 6:44 pm

beeg wrote:They also have this site, don't know if in addition or the replacement.
http://www.seakwood.com/

Interesting - hopefully this is an expansion of their operations and not their new location, but my guess is the latter. I always wanted to go visit them next time I'm up in WA, which doesn't happen often enough. The problem with SE AK is that will be all they can feasibly serve, as not much gets in and out of there that doesn't travel by plane.

bcone1381 · Post by **bcone1381** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 12:14 pm

[ATTACH]19054[/ATTACH]

This thread inspired Harley and I. We passed this oak while running yesterday and picked it up this morning. There is no log larger than 12" in diameter, and they average about 40" long. The longest if 54".

What do I do now? Is it worth keeping for furniture? I do not know anything about getting this lumber into useable boards except I know it has to dry and my band saw table unable to deal with 100lb logs.

If I let it sit I expect it won't be any good for wood working. I have some Maple and cherry that was cut down in the spring that splits as it dries.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:45 pm

Question is, are those trunk pieces, or branches.

If branches, they may too 'stressful' to use.

They do look pretty straight.

If you decide to air dry them, seal the ends to minimize splitting.

Same if you make them 'boards' first.

bcone1381 · Post by **bcone1381** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:52 pm

These are all trunk pieces.

What do I seal them with?

What is the theory that is taking place that keeps them from cracking if sealed?

What do you mean by "Too Stressful"

What are the consequences of a "Stressed" piece of lumber?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:52 am

bcone1381 wrote:These are all trunk pieces.

What do I seal them with?

What is the theory that is taking place that keeps them from cracking if sealed?

What do you mean by "Too Stressful"

What are the consequences of a "Stressed" piece of lumber?

I understand latex paint works.

As the ends dry faster than the 'innards', the shrinkage causes the splitting at the ends. By sealing the ends, drying takes place through the sides equally along the entire length.

A branch has gravity pulling against it. The result is the bottom side is larger(pith to outside) and the stress is there because of the torque etc. Once the branch is cut, the torque is gone, but the internal 'forces' remain.

As it dries, a 'stressed' piece will warp severely.

Charlese may have a better explanation.

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:10 am

Try this...
http://www.woodmizer.com/us/ResourceCenter/FindaCustomSawyer.aspx

Most mill owners do some cutting on shares (mill owner collects "x" % of the wood as payment for sawing logs rather than cash) and have a fair sized inventory of lumber on hand to sell.

Much of the south half of Indiana is forested (home of the Hoosier National Forest) with mixed hardwoods and so we are pretty well blessed with small sawmill operations. Eastern KY is also well blessed with hardwood forest.

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