The Ultimate Guide to Buying Hardwood Lumber: Say Goodbye to Big Box Stores! #lumber
Video Overview & Insights
Welcome to our channel, where we dive deep into the world of woodworking and help you make informed decisions when it comes to buying hardwood lumber. In this video, we'll take you on a journey through the best place to buy hardwood lumber and explain why you should stay away from big box stores.
Thanks for making this video, glad you kept it up. It's very educational to me, as I'm starting from zero knowledge. I'm hoping to buy some lumber for hobby projects. I live in a redwood forest and they're harvesting trees, so there's no way I want to go to a big box store, plus they won't have a big chunk of redwood that I think would be fun for a ukulele or guitar.
Join us as we uncover all the essential aspects of purchasing rough sawn lumber at your local lumber yard. From understanding the various thicknesses like 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, and up to 12/4, to unraveling the mysteries of board feet measurements, we've got you covered. Learn the differences between Plain sawn, Quarter sawn, and Rift sawn cuts, and how they can impact the appearance and stability of your projects.
But that's not all! We'll also show you how your local lumberyard is not just a treasure trove for standard hardwoods. Discover the exotic woods and specialty materials such as burls that you can find there. Unlock the potential for unique and stunning designs by exploring the wide array of options available to you at your fingertips.
Some of the markup is ridiculous and the buyer has to beware. The identical 380-piece cam lock set was $91.99 at a big box store. $23.75 for the same set on Amazon.
Prepare to be amazed as we conduct a detailed price comparison between big box stores and your local lumberyard, even when it comes to exotic and specialty woods. Witness firsthand how you can access these extraordinary materials without breaking the bank. Say goodbye to limited choices and exorbitant prices; your local lumberyard has got you covered!
Whether you're a seasoned woodworker or just starting out, this video is a must-watch for anyone looking to source high-quality hardwood lumber, including exotic woods and specialty materials. Don't miss out on the knowledge, savings, and endless creative possibilities that await you!
I wish it was easier to find these places. I live in San Francisco, and the nearest place I can find (Macbeath) is in Berkeley, nearly an hour away if there is any kind of traffic on the bridge. There's another place in Watsonville that looks promising, but that's around 2.5 hours each way. Another one all the way out past Sacramento.
Subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all things woodworking. Join our community of passionate craftsmen and let's embark on this lumber-buying adventure together. Remember, the best lumber, including exotic woods and specialty materials, is just a trip to your local lumberyard away!
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Iām in Ohio and wondering where your lumber yard is located.
Or reach out to us at Traditionaltimberllc@gmail.com
Time stamps
Biggest 3 mistakes beginner woodworkers make with buying wood.
1. Going to Home Depot or Lowes... this is a definite no, for multiple reasons, mainly it costs 3 to 4 times more than a hardwood store. And most of the time the saw to cut it for you is inexplicably down š
2. Feeling overwhelmed at a lumber/hardwood store. Dont. People are often confused by wood being sold by the Board Foot. They will be embarrased when they get to the check out and not know what they have. Just download a board foot calculator and bring a tape measure. First time you do it will take a little longer, but after that youll never be guessing the price of the full board again.
3. Not asking for advice. Simply say "hi. Im new to woodworking, any deals going on." I have literally found FULL trees cut to dimensional lumber at a local shop because that tree fell on a broke and desperate woodworkers property, so they cut it up and sold it for pennies on the dollar because they had the tools. The lumber store let him consign it with the store. I ended up getting California Live Oak, 6 feet tall, 8 inches wide, and 2 inches thick for only 48 bucks. Which is a steal! Just ask them. Chances are, the people working there know when there is a great deal. You can then turn a huge profit when you market your work with the rare wood you used!
0:00 Intro/get out of the big store
3:10 Harwood lingo
Thanks for doing something stupidly unsafe to start the video so I knew this channel wasn't for me.
3:40 Surfacing Harwood/ S2S-S4S
5:30 Specialty Harwoods/Exotic wood
OSHA would like a word with you in regards to that intro š¤š¤š¤š¤š¤š¤š¤
6:21 Different cuts of wood
7:51 How to measure board feet
Thank you! I needed to better understand the ins and outs.
8:27 Learning Lumber Thicknesses
8:50 Costs for surfacing wood
won't they bend in time from sitting out side in rain, winter etc ... where in the store they are covered and they dry ... :-?
#lumber #wood #woodworking #lumberbuying
#harwood #ultimateguide #wheretobuywood #shoplocal #forestry #woodshop
Unfortunately, I haven't found a "local lumber yard" within an hour drive time, at least one that offers s4s hardwood. So I'm stuck with poplar and red oak from big box stores for now. (I'm considering ordering online, but sure would like to touch/see the board in person before I buy.)
More User Perspectives
I guess it depends on the supplier, but S4S isnāt always a time saver. I recently bought some because I was trying to get a project done quickly but ended up having to mill it anyway just not a whole lot.
@Gear_BangerGreat video thank you
@robertmorse4582Well, I learned some time ago that I know nothing about lumber. But now I learned that I still donāt.
@ExperienceKevsworldThank you very good information
@roschellerumley3566Very helpful & useful explanation + overall great advice. I have a great lumber yard thatās reasonably close. I did the math on buying a thickness planer vs. paying my lumber yard for S3S (table saw or track saw takes care of the 4th edge). For my needs as a DIYer, the ROI on buying a thickness planer, much less a jointer, just doesnāt make financial sense (plus my lumber yard has higher end machines than I would be able to afford & justify buying). Thanks for sharing the tip about the surfacing services that most lumber yards offer.
@G.I.JeffsWorkbenchDoes the thickness refer to the pre surfacing thickness or the flattened thickness?
@rickclever506Funny how big box stores sell themselves with advertising low prices when that may be true for some items but when it comes to supplies they totally screw you over. They cut a piece of PVC or wood in half and charge just as much as a full length. I understand charging for a cut but this is absolutely ridiculous.
@Qbert-379Great video! I am also in Ohio, do you sell lumber at your store? I checked the website and didnāt see any.
@aaronward668Forgive me, but Aren't Rift and Quarter the other way around. Quarter being an angled end grain with the "tiger stripes" Not rift As you said.
@kraven4444Very nice and interesting
@SarpongEvans-c5yVery nice and interesting
@SarpongEvans-c5yI can supplies u woods
@SarpongEvans-c5yHow to calculate board feet if each end is a difference widtf?
@jamesduke5032Thank you, this was a big help
@kolab18Hi I live in las vegas and I can't find a hardwood lumber yard anywhere. Do you have any suggestions on how to find one that is open and has reasonable hours? thank you
@kylem4269Very helpful! Thanks!
@tydrayton6210As a newbie woodworker about to make his first visit to his local lumber yard, I want to thank you for your very helpful video. It gives a novice like me, some idea of what to expect and to be able to understand some of what the expert at the yard is talking about. Cheers
@Staevart2Lmao really start the video with one of the biggest no nos. Still going to watch the rest but come on
@josephstanley200