Replies

1. 
   rslatm | Dec 16, 2003 03:50pm | #1

   I'd call the local shops in your area for a more accurate account but around my area it's about $50 an hour. Most places tend to charge by the hour because of the variables.
1. 
   PlaneWood | Dec 16, 2003 05:18pm | #2

   Rick -

   None of the places I'm familiar with around Houston that sell hardwoods do anything but planing with most of their lumber being pe-planed at another site.

   The place I referred to in the first note primarily sold hardwoods.  They keep it in rough form till an order came in then they'd plane it , sand it, rip it, mold  it, or what ever the customer wanted.  Or, they'd sell it to you rough if that was what you wanted.  I think planing, sanding, and straight line ripping added a total of 30 cents/bf to the cost of the lumber.

   I'm curious to know if there are still any places like that around the country. 

   I'm thinking that the lack of such services has, in large part, contributed to the fairly recent popularity of drum and belt sanders in smaller woodworking shops.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

1. 
   rslatm | Dec 16, 2003 06:06pm | #3

   In the 35 years I've been involved in the wood working trades most places that sell hardwoods sell rough wood. Some mill shops will pick the best stock for their commercial projects and sell the rest to the hobby woodworker.  They all charge by the hour for extra services.  I can't imagine why anyone would get the wood sanded if it hasn't been made into a finished project. The proliferation of small sanders and planers is because the darned things are so cheap anyone can have one. I remember the days when the belsaw planer was the only small planer available and next up was the Parks. Ryobi with their lunch box planer changed all that.   It was Bill Green who invented the Performax sander. He had an idea for an affordable sander and no manufacturer would listen so he started making them himself.   I don't think it's the lack of services that had anything to do with it.  Woodworking has exploded since the seventies and if you look at the amount of tools available to the hobby woodworker compared to 30 years ago it's incredible.  I see some home shop guys are better equipped than some small businesses.

2. 
   Sphere | Dec 17, 2003 12:25am | #4

   when I had the SCMI dual belt 36" thickness sander in the shop we would charge by the hr. and the belt cost..one session I remember was a 1x8 x 6' hunk of Zircote..destroyed the 80 grt. 1st belt and gummed up the 120 follower..but that sander was a dream for anything else..then (1995) depending on who was running the sander..new guy vs. shop vetern and how busy we were coulda been 15.00 an hr. I forget the belt cost we bought in quans. of ten ea. grit.

3. 
   notDusty | Dec 17, 2003 01:57am | #5

           PlaneWood ,

    Here in Oregon the going price is about $1.00 a minute , usually with a $10-$20 dollar minimum .

4. 
   ron61 | Dec 17, 2003 02:25am | #6

   Cabinet shop I work in charges $1.00 per min.
5. 
   scooter1 | Dec 17, 2003 03:08am | #7

   In LA it is a dollar a minute, with a minimum charge of $35. I use it fequently, to plane or sand stock down to my size. Usually joined one edge is free.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934