Lumber Sources

[bondoboat]

Hi all,
Just left a big box store in shock at what they want for oak boards. A dollar a foot for 1" x 2"? Where is the best type of place to go for lumber? I was hoping to make a porch swing for my wife out of oak. I need a bunch of 3/8" x 3" slats. I have a stand alone tablesaw, Shopsmith goldie with jointer, jigsaw and beltsander. I don't think I am equipped to take rough sawn 4" x 4" wood and make it work. I have a ton of pine 1" x 6" boards but they are only 3 feet long and I don't think it would come out as nice as oak. Any suggestions?

[beeg]

Have ya looked in the yellow pages under hardwood?

[kalynzoo]

Maybe I missed something, but your profile doesn't give your location. :confused: For really clean, well grained lumber I go to Integrity Wood, in Canoga Park, California. I know they ship, but shipping would be to expensive for a large project. (I think). If you have a cabinet shop or custom woodshop in your area, you might be able to purchase some of their stock. As for myself, it is Lowes, or Home Depot for some stuff...but what they sell is usually split, warped, wet, or knotted. Integrity for clean well grained straight lumber, cut to length, but expensive. Or if I'm lucky I come across some used lumber, like a bunk bed in a garage sale, that I can cannibalize.
The short of it is that clean wood is now very expensive, and I have neither the time, equipment, skill, or interest in milling my own.
Good luck.

[curiousgeorge]

Try looking here....

http://woodfinder.com/

to maybe find a source near where ever you are located, or here....

http://www.woodworkerssource.com/

for mail order. There are other sources on the net if you just do some searching around.
This is why everyone needs to put their location in their profile. We can't help you if we don't know where you are.

[alaskanexile]

Am getting ready to start a cradle using oak and walnut. Ordered the material from Ocooch Hardwoods out of Richland Center, Wi. Since I do not own a planer, had them mill it to my specs. Just received the order about a week ago. Have it sitting on the living room floor where I can admire it, as it is absolutely georgous looking 1st quality wood. Cost including shipping......., aprox. 1/2, maybe less than what I would have paid locally. Saved hours and many miles of repeated trips to Lowe's, H.D., and Woodcraft in search of suitable materials. Even had I been able to find it locally, would likely have had to settle for something almost good enough.
Ocooch Hardwoods ph.# is 1 888 322 2432
Web site: www.ocoochhardwoods.com
If you call you will be talking to the owner, who is very pleasant and accomodating.
Roger

[john]

If you do a search for hardwood lumber dealers in your area, you might find one that sells rough lumber but is willing to mill it to your requirements at a price that is considerably less than you would pay in a big box store. I know that is the case where I buy my rough lumber.

I hope this helps.

Good luck

John

[kalynzoo]

alaskanexile, Thanks for the link to another wood supplier...the more the better, especially with a recommendation.

[davevz]

Question for Ed or Bill what good sources have you found in Florida??