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Sourcing hardwoods

So the first couple g's I have made I used poplar I got from Home Depot.

That worked fine but now I have basically cleaned up the 3 straight pieces they have left. Sutherland's nearby also has some 1x2 (poplar and red maple) but I couldn't find a good piece in the bunch.

I assume these stores won't order anymore stock until they have sold a lot of what they have (still pretty full shelves).

So I'm searching around but I can't find any more stores in the area that have stock. Currently another lumber yard is getting me quotes on ordering.

I just ordered some rosewood fingerboards from these guys

https://www.lmii.com

Seems like decent prices. Are there any other good places to order from, better prices? I guess supporting local is almost a non choice anymore. :(

(have to order tuners and pups online to get decent prices too).

I even had to order cigar boxes online to get better choices than the local shop, though I haven't been to them enough to know the full selection they may have.

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Permalink Reply by Kigar on March 14, 2016 at 3:57pm

My bandsaw did ok with a coarse blade on oak flooring, but I know what you mean, sometimes the wood just does not want to be cut.

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Permalink Reply by BP - RabidSalad - on March 14, 2016 at 4:22am

The cheapest source for hardwoods for me is.... pallets. I have a standing request at the local hardware store that is different from most in that they buy from all over the world. The owners get product not only from their chain outlet but from buying shows as well.

Bottom line is when pallets arrive from certain places in the USA I get oak, When pottery arrives from Malaysia I get teak and mahogany, so heads up in spring time. Anything spuce/pine from N America I ignore, obviously. I like the fact that the wood has character with dark staining and nail holes which I try to incorporate into the build.

happy cbg'n

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on March 14, 2016 at 11:29am

I have given up (mostly) on poplar in favor of maple, but I do spend a lot of time at Home Depot digging through and finding pieces that are straight (on one end), then I get as many as I can.

For finger boards, I found a local hardwood floor reseller that has 1/4" thick pieces. I have walnut, Purple Heart, Jatoba, and lacewood that all make beautiful guitars. I buy large (~10"x 4'-6')end-pieces and trim them down on the table saw... For $50 in wood, I get 30 or so finger boards... My local hardwood store has a variety of woods: Sipo, zebra, maple, and more). If you can find Jatoba, you have to give it a try... It is amazingly strong, and looks great.