I live in western Wisconsin. There are sawmills about every 5 miles in
every direction around here. Some are hobby mills, circle or band, and
some are commercial. You must have them in your area, too. Try
attending some local threshing (or "Steam") shows where they often have
a sawmill. talk to the operator or some of the people standing around
who are remarking about the finer points of the way the operator is
going about his business. I guarantee that you will find out where to
get wood.

For instance: I see a guy every month at our "retirement breakfast"
who just loves to saw wood. At present, he's got a pretty good sized
barn just about full. A LOT of red Oak. But he just stickers it up.
And then goes out and saws more.

Another friend has a portable Jackson mill that he takes to threshing
shows. One of the problems he has is finding enough wood to saw for 2
days in a row. I didnt' realize that until just recently, and have
told him that if that problem ever comes up again, I will fix him up
from my own woods if I have to drop a tree or two on the day of the event.
For furniture, you'll need kiln dried wood, I guess, but if you do
find a sawyer, he'll also know where to get that done unless you want to
dry it yourself. We have a commercial hardwood sawmill 3 miles away
that has its own kiln (for special wood that I might buy from them) and
my sawyer friend knows where to go for "hobby lots" of drying.

All I'm saying is: If you really want to build the cabinets and if part
of the "chase" is to see who inexpensively, from a cash outlay
standpoint you can do it, then take some time to get to know your local
sawyers. You said you live in Hudson Valley NY area, but not whether
you are in a huge metro area or in a small town. Either way, it can't
be too far to the "country". As far as having Cherry around, aren't
you in the part of the country where good old "George" chopped down the
Cherry Tree?

Check this link for shows in your area of the country (just page down to
find "New York"). You don't even have to wait for next year's show to
meet people. Make contact with the event managers and ask questions:

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/st...day/Shows.html

Pete Stanaitis
------------------------


Chuck wrote:

I can get cherry at my local lumber yard but it costs
a fortune (finished on all 4 sides). I have a jointer and planer but
no source for unfinished kiln dried cherry (I live in NY's Hudson
Valley).

Thanks in advance,
Chuck