Replies

1. 
   rez | May 08, 2002 04:41am | #1

   acecan- I get mine free recycling old houses.

1. 
   FrankB89 | May 08, 2002 05:34am | #2

   I'm on a crusade tonight!  Come on people, if you ask a question, give some background.  In terms of your question, I live on the West Coast and have a sawmill to compliment my construction business.  I can buy logs and deliver rough sawn Western Red, Port Orford and Incense cedar for anywhere from 50 cents a board foot to $2.50 pbf.  What do you want?  Beams, beveled siding, ! X 12's and batts?; tight knot or clears? The dimensions make a big difference in terms of the kind of kind of logs that have to be chosen for the wood you want.

    If you're on the East Coast, you've got different species and availabilities.  Market prices for logs fluxuate in ways that defy gravity and there are all kinds of mom and pops out there with little mills like mine that charge such a range of prices that it's worth shopping around a little. 

   I suggest you search out Woodmizers website and locate a directory of mills in your area.  They're all over the place and if you can find a sawyer that knows what he's doing, you can get some excellent wood at a reasonable price.

   http://www.woodmizer.com Some people would bitch even if they were hung with a new rope.

1. 
   acecan | May 08, 2002 08:32am | #3

   Hows this,

   260 - 6' 1x6

   30 - 9' 2x4

   12 - 9' 1x8

   2 - 8' 2x6

   I live in Seattle.

   You should try heeding your own advice, "

   Some people would bitch even if they were hung with a new rope."

    

    

    

    

1. 
   FrankB89 | May 08, 2002 09:23am | #4

   Given the dimensions and lengths you've provided, and being in the Seattle area, I would think you could probably expect to pay in the range of $400 to $600 per MBF or $.40 to $.60 per board foot for a good, tight knot Western Red Cedar, fresh cut and not kiln-dried.  I would urge you to browse the classifieds and free shoppers for a local source.  The quality of wood obtainable by small, independent sawmills is probably better in Northern Washington, especially in the cascades than down here on the Southern Oregon coast where it's faster growing and courser grained and sometimes littered with worm-holes.  Lumber yard prices are probably what I've stated and higher with quality consistent, but poorer than what you can probably get from a custom mill.

   Right now is a pretty good time, too, because log prices AND lumber prices are pretty flat.

   If money is not an issue, look at the cedar coming out of BC, Canada...top quality, Old growth, tight grain and expensive.

   Good luck!  (I apologize for my earlier rant).

    Some people would bitch even if they were hung with a new rope.

   Edited 5/8/2002 8:22:08 AM ET by Notchman

1. 
   PhillGiles | May 08, 2002 09:31am | #5

   And didn't it just get 27% more expensive ?.

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

2. 
   FrankB89 | May 08, 2002 03:24pm | #6

   I don't know if the tariff is in effect yet.  Ashcroft will probably find it immoral, anyway. Some people would bitch even if they were hung with a new rope.

2. 
   jimblodgett | May 08, 2002 05:11pm | #7

   Everything's a little higher close to Seattle, Acecan. I live outside Olympia and try to get as much as I can locally, even when working up your way.

   Cedar is probably the most volitile dimensional material pricewise. Tight knot, with one band sawn face is usually somewhere between .75 and 1.50/board foot. Of course, the larger the dimension, the higher the price at any given time. I haven't bought any for a year or so, but I think Phill's right, with the new tariffs it will only be getting more expensive as summer comes. Generally speaking, early winter is the best time to buy, before the yards tally inventory for tax.

   There's a guy outside Elbe who will mill cedar for you with his circular mill at a reasonable rate, but he doesn't always have logs. If you want that type face, it might make a fun trip, they sell real good ice cream cones at that little burger place by the dinner train in Elbe. I think I could dig his number out if you're interested.

3. 
   ProDek | May 08, 2002 05:33pm | #8

   Call Issaquah Lumber & Cedar- Phone number is 425-392-3631

   They will mill whatever you want and quote your prices over the phone but it doesn't smell as good as going  there in person.

   Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

1. 
   Rarebreed | Jun 16, 2002 11:22am | #9

   I have been using http://www.woodplanet.com  with pretty good success for getting price qoutes and locating lumber suppliers that are close by. They claim to have contacts nationwide and you can usually have 3 to 4 quotes within a weeks time.

   Sorry about the bum link. Try it now it should work.

   TCW Specialists in Custom Remodeling.

   Edited 6/16/2002 11:57:53 AM ET by Tim Thompson

   Edited 6/16/2002 12:01:17 PM ET by Tim Thompson

   Edited 6/16/2002 12:02:19 PM ET by Tim Thompson

1. 
   rez | Jun 16, 2002 04:55pm | #10

   tim- we need a little help on that web address. Or are you working undercover?

4. 
   WhiteKnightConsulting | May 23, 2023 03:33am | #11

   Whether you need beams, beveled siding, 1x12s, or batts, it's important to specify your preferences as it affects the choice of logs. On the East Coast, availability and species differ, and prices for logs fluctuate. To find reputable mills and quality wood at reasonable prices, I recommend exploring White Knight Consulting Ltd's website (https://wknightconsulting.com/) and their directory of mills. They can help you locate skilled sawyers who can provide excellent wood for your needs.