Replies

1. 
   mapleman | Dec 03, 2008 06:56am | #1

   Try:

   Groff and Groff Lumber

   Hearne Hardwoods

   Sandy Pond Hardwoods

   I'm sure there are quite a few others - all three of the above I have dealt with personally and found to be top-notch

   Lee

1. 
   rmantell | Dec 03, 2008 04:06pm | #2

   Hello:
   Mapleman's three recommendations are all superb operations and are great places to visit and imagine future projects. Also, South central PA has many "local" sawmills.
   Rick

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 03, 2008 06:56pm | #3

   Add Good Hope hardwoods to the list.  Also, for the smaller local outlets check on http://www.woodfinder.com you might be surprised what you find. 

1. 
   mapleman | Dec 03, 2008 09:31pm | #4

   Steve,

   I was under the impression that Skip (Good Hope Hardwoods) didn't have a warehouse for in-person shopping? Or am I mistaken?

    He supplies a lot of the lumber for the projects at Lonnie Bird's school - and I'm not completely impressed with some of what I saw while there although some of it was decent stuff. I would definitely want to see the lumber in person before a purchase from him. I also find his prices to be quite high - so some comparison shopping would be recommended.

   Lee

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 03, 2008 10:06pm | #5

   It's been a few years, but the only way I've dealt with Good Hope is by visiting in person.  I was treated well. 

1. 
   mapleman | Dec 04, 2008 05:00am | #7

   Steve,

   I'll have to put Good Hope back on the "places to visit" list. One of the guys in class mentioned that he tried unsucessfully several times to drop in personally and select stock.

   Lee

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 04, 2008 06:24am | #8

   The problem was only about "dropping in" I suspect.  I was able to call ahead and set up a time. 

3. 
   AceNace | Dec 04, 2008 05:23pm | #10

   Thank you!

2. 
   doug | Dec 04, 2008 04:36am | #6

   Hey Ace,

   Check out Hollister's Sawmill in Columbia, http://www.hollistersawmill.com/

   I visited with Bob last Saturday morning when visiting my parents in Millersville.  He has really nice walnut and sells if for $3 - $5/ bd ft.  He had some really nice, wide (15 inches or so) spalted maple for ~ $5/bd ft.  Lots of nice smaller walnut pieces with great figure.  He's a little hard to find, but well worth it.  Groff and Groff has more variety of wood, but you'll pay more for it. 

   Doug

1. 
   AceNace | Dec 04, 2008 05:25pm | #11

   Thank you! This place is right across the river from me. I'm going to try and make an appointment with Bob for this weekend.

3. 
   terrylee86 | Dec 04, 2008 05:16pm | #9

   Ace,

   Are you sure you want to make a countertop out of walnut?  There is a reason they don't make cutting boards out of walnut.  It will fade like crazy in that application, but I am sure you have already thought these problems through.  Just trying to give you a heads up.

1. 
   AceNace | Dec 04, 2008 05:34pm | #12

   I've done some research and walnut seems to be a popular choice for many wood countertop manufactures. (See links below) I plan on facing the edge grain up and sealing it with Waterlox. I'm not sure if that will make a difference in fading, hadn't really considered that issue.http://www.devoswoodworking.com/Butcher_Block_Photos/PhotosWalnut.htm
   http://www.blocktops.com/section.cfm/products/wood/craftart
   http://www.glumber.com/CuttingBoards.htmIf you know of another hardwood that would work better, and have the same color characteristics of a clear finished walnut, I'd love to hear anyone's suggestions.Jeremiah

1. 
   terrylee86 | Dec 05, 2008 02:03am | #14

   Ace,
   I was concerned with toxicity issues and being an open grained wood having food bacteria problems in the pores. If you are coating it with waterlox you should be ok with trapped food. I would see what the UV factors are for Waterlox because it will fade in the sunlight big time. Find out what devoswoodworking puts on their finshed product.

1. 
   BILLB | Dec 10, 2008 08:45pm | #15

   Look at Talarico Hardwoods in Mohnton PA.. http://www.talaricohardwoods.com  I frequently visit the site just to look at the spectacular stuff Sam has.

   And don't worry, the tab on his website called "Wood Porn" isn't anything you shouldn't click on...if fact, I encourage you to do it.

   Bill B.

    

4. 
   489tad | Dec 04, 2008 06:06pm | #13

   You might want to try Groff & Groff in Quarryville.  http://www.groffslumber.com

5. 
   wlcummings | Dec 12, 2008 12:03am | #16

   My favorite source is Hicksville Planing Mill in Clear Spring MD near Hagerstown off of Rt. 81 and 70.

   They are now gluing up a 15 ft counter top for me in a butcher block format.

   Their number is 301-842-3474 and the manager is Robert Miller - let the phone ring they do not rush to ans the phone - They stock all domestic wood. But its like going back to the 1940's and a pleasant place to spend a hour or two just looking at the piles of wood. They sell scrap pieces for almost nothing and a scrap piece could be 4 or 5 feet long.