1rustynail

After having spent eight years at a local saw mill, I have learned a few things of wood processing. Locate a local mill and get to know them, if they do not have the species you are looking for, they likely know of a mill that does. I have gotten quite a bit of hardwood lumber from local mills. when they are cutting "grade" lumber, there are lesser grades and mis-cut lumber that can be purchased to help the mill get rid of material that would otherwise accumulate into a fire hazard or be reprocessed into pallet lumber.

Pallets are another source of lumber for small projects. You just need to be aware of pulling nails or screws and be creative in how you process and use this lumber. There pallet makers who generate excessive waste and or recycle pallets for re-use. While employed at the mill I worked for I was able to accumulate numerous mis cut pallet boards that I purchased from the mill for my own use.

Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 8/4 with widths from 3 1/2 to 12 and lengths of 4' up to 12' in cedar, walnut, oaks, ash, cherry, sycamore, and hickory. Most of this material sits in my yard on sticks until I decide to use it.