Replies

1. 
   Zmonster | Jul 13, 2008 09:55am | #1

   Baltimore? Try Exotic Lumber in Annapolis and Gaithersburg...

2. 
   BG | Jul 13, 2008 11:12am | #2

   Zappa,

   I think its tough to generalize but my Woodcraft has been quite competitive in a total cost of project sense. I'll often take a look at them before I make a final decision. They are often generous with the sq. ft. measurement.

3. 
   Cincinnati | Jul 13, 2008 11:33am | #3

   Woodcraft stores are independent owner franchises. My local Woodcraft buys from local suppliers. By local, I mean they do not buy through the corpoprate warehouse, Quality is always pretty good. Price is generally a little high.

   I can order from the same supplier that they use and generally get a better price. But I can't go hand select my timber. Woodcraft provides that option, and for some projects this is important. I get to know exactly the size, grain pattern, and condition of the board.

   One of the suppliers is 180 miles away. They have a $300 min order. If I needed more than $300 in lumber, I'd probably go ahead and order from another supplier. Generally, I have a larger selection than I do at Woodcraft.

   My counsel is to compare what you have available at Woodcraft and what is available elsewhere.

   Greg

   •••••••

   Exo 35:30-35

4. 
   dkellernc | Jul 13, 2008 05:37pm | #4

   The local store here in Raleigh, NC is not somewhere that I would advice someone to go looking for lumber in, particularly if they build furniture.

   Like the other posters, I'm not sure I can generalize to other Woodcraft stores, but the local one is narrowly focused on "crafters" - woodworkers that make small do-dads like bandsawn boxes, scrollsaw projects, pen-turning and the like.  To that end, almost all of what they carry is small pieces (less than 6' long and 5" wide), and it's all S4S.  Such stock isn't really workable for the furniture builder, and it's quite expensive compared to rough 4/4 in any species.

5. 
   DP | Jul 13, 2008 08:25pm | #5

   You're not that far from Groff and Groff or Sandy Pond in Quarryville or Hearne in Oxford.  I buy from all three and am always allowed (even encouraged) to pick through the pile.  Of course you need to be sure to not abuse the privilege and be sure you restack the pile when you're done.  I'd guess that both selection and price would be far better than at a Woodcraft.  BTW have also bought from Exotic Lumber in Annapolis and have been satisfied. 

1. 
   Zappa | Jul 13, 2008 10:52pm | #6

   http://www.freestatetimbers.com/index.html

    

     This place is pretty close and I have heard and have met one of the owners , I just like the fact that my local woodcraft puts a price per LF as well as for the whole board and untill I have a better understanding of the wood I want to use I will just start out with Woodcraft.. plus my local woodcraft is right around the corner.. Z

2. 
   VTAndy_ | Jul 15, 2008 03:40pm | #12

   I second the recommendation of Groff and Groff -- it will take you about 30-40 minutes from Towson.
   -Andy

6. 
   JerryPacMan | Jul 13, 2008 11:16pm | #7

   If I see a board that I like at Woodcraft I buy it.  They had some birds-eye maple on sale last year that was excellent and a good price to boot.  I think Rockler's wood prices are high and selecting not so good.  I have have 6 local suppliers to buy from. 

    

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

   "Life is not a success only journey."  Dr. Phil

7. 
   heartwould | Jul 14, 2008 02:58pm | #8

   There is great wisdom in what has already been posted, but the bottom line in determining where to buy lumber is 1) what you are going to make, and 2) what tools you have at your disposal. For example, with a very low budget and limited tools (no planer, no jointer, no table saw), I used dimensional lumber from Lowe's to build the bookcases for a home library. (Lowe's called their lumber "Whitewood," but I later learned that it is Aspen). The wood was more than adequate for the job.
   Of course the best way for a well equipped woodworker to buy lumber is in the rough cut form, and then mill it to the specific needs of the project.
   In my area (Indianapolis rather than Annapolis), both Woodcraft and Rockler offer some exotic woods, usually at some exotic prices. If they have what you need at a price that your project can justify, they are as useful as anyone.
   For the adventurous, find someone who owns a Woodmizer portable sawmill and harvest your own timber.

1. 
   saschafer | Jul 14, 2008 06:18pm | #9

   "Lowe's called their lumber 'Whitewood,' but I later learned that it is Aspen"

   Are you sure about that? "Whitewood" usually refers to softwoods, most often spruce (occasionally fir or hemlock, or even pine).

   -Steve

    

1. 
   heartwould | Jul 14, 2008 07:16pm | #10

   It is a softwood, for sure. The folks at my local lumber outfit are the ones that said it was aspen which made sense to me as it did not appear to be pine or fir.

1. 
   saschafer | Jul 14, 2008 07:26pm | #11

   Well, aspen is a hardwood, a relatively soft hardwood, but a hardwood nonetheless. Methinks the folks at Lowe's didn't know really know, not that that's ever happened before....

   -Steve