Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

Lee wrote:
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

Try to find someone selling #1 or #2 common oak or maple. It will have
knots and
other defects in it, but it's less expensive. If it's for the shop, it
shouldn't matter.

I don't know if poplar is considered a hardwood, but that's also less
expensive.

Call the Woodmizer people and see if there's someone near your area
selling wood.

"Lee" wrote in message
. ..
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply, wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person
that says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))
How about poplar?

Hmmm poplar might work
"bf" wrote in message
ups.com...

Lee wrote:
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person
that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

Try to find someone selling #1 or #2 common oak or maple. It will have
knots and
other defects in it, but it's less expensive. If it's for the shop, it
shouldn't matter.

I don't know if poplar is considered a hardwood, but that's also less
expensive.

Call the Woodmizer people and see if there's someone near your area
selling wood.

"Lee" wrote in message
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person
that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

"Poplar" is probably the cheapest in most locales, but it is not
readily/easily stainable unless you jump through some hoops, or know the
pitfalls of staining with sap wood and heart wood in the same board. Poplar
works nicely and is an excellent choice for paint grade wood, or for dark
gel stains where blotching will be less of a problem.

Red Oak is probably the most ubiquitous of the relatively cheaper hardwoods
in most places in the US, it stains nicely and is even generally available
at the BORGS, as is poplar.

Ash and maple can also be relatively less expensive in some places, but you
may not find either accept at lumber yards/hardwood dealers.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/29/06

Lee wrote:
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).

Do you have a jointer/planer? If so, look into buying green wood direct
from a sawmill. You will have to let the wood sit for about a year, but
you can save considerable money.

About 6 months ago I got about 375 bf. of ash for something like $140
from an Amish mill. By the spring time it will be ready to go.

Mike

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:33:18 GMT, "Lee" wrote:

Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))


As others have said, poplar is inexpensive, but really more suited if you
plan to paint it, not sure how the green pigmented parts of poplar would
look stained.

Ash is another good choice, right now, at least where I am, it is cheaper
than poplar and, IMHO, looks way nicer.

Soft maple is probably the next price point that still falls under
"cheap, sort of".



+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:38:23 -0700, Mark & Juanita
wrote:



poplar is inexpensive, not sure how the green pigmented parts of poplar would
look stained.


The green portions turn brown over time. Fairly rapidly. On the
order of months.

Lee wrote:
Hmmm poplar might work
....

Don't give much hint on actual use/sizes, but poplar sounds likely to
be softer than you'd like for such purposes, at least for tool boxes
(unless they're like inserts or drawers, maybe).

Soft maple is relatively inexpensive and finishes better than poplar
(other than painting, for which poplar is marginally better imo) and is
also harder and mills well. Red oak is probably next of common NA
hardwoods...I'd expect cost/availability to vary by area although here
everything has to come from afar, so that tends to minimize "cheap"
simply by shipping costs.

"Lee" wrote in message
. ..
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply, wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person
that says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))


The answer will vary by region. Here in Northern NY, I can get low grade
maple for as cheap as poplar and it's much harder.

You need to ask at your local hardwood supplier what they have.

-Steve

"George Max" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:38:23 -0700, Mark & Juanita
wrote:



poplar is inexpensive, not sure how the green pigmented parts of poplar
would
look stained.


The green portions turn brown over time. Fairly rapidly. On the
order of months.

And it still looks bad. Around here ash is almost as cheap, but oh so much
nicer.

"Lee" wrote in message
. ..
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply, wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person
that says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

How cheap is cheap? Cherry is about $6.50, Oak around $4.50, but I can get
rough pine for 50¢ I have some very serviceable boxes and cabinets from
pine.

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:33:18 +0000, Lee wrote:

Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

You don't say where you are--Capetown, Buenos Aires, Sydney, and New York
will have very different answers.

How cheap is cheap and how long can you wait and what tools do you have?
Locally one can get 8/4 green red oak for $1.20 a board
foot--if you can wait a year and then joint and plane it that's pretty
reasonable. Locally KD ash, aspen, and poplar are under $3/board foot.


--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Lee wrote:

Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

I don't know where you are, but around here (Pacific Northwest) I can often
find birch cheaper than any other hardwood.

--
It's turtles, all the way down

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:11:31 GMT, "Toller" wrote:


"George Max" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:38:23 -0700, Mark & Juanita
wrote:



poplar is inexpensive, not sure how the green pigmented parts of poplar
would
look stained.


The green portions turn brown over time. Fairly rapidly. On the
order of months.

And it still looks bad. Around here ash is almost as cheap, but oh so much
nicer.


I guess this is why poplar tends to be painted.

"Stephen M" wrote in message
...

"Lee" wrote in message
. ..
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply, wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to
be machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First
person that says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place.
))))


The answer will vary by region. Here in Northern NY, I can get low grade
maple for as cheap as poplar and it's much harder.

You need to ask at your local hardwood supplier what they have.


That's it. Soft maple isn't widely used as cabinet wood, so it tends to be
relatively cheap around here. Mainly just pallets and some flooring. If
you really want cheap, and aren't embarrassed by dents, get bass. Almost
doesn't pay to saw that stuff. makes great insides, unders, and in a shop,
frames.

Be aware that "tulip-poplar" or "yellow poplar" isn't the same as real
poplar, called "popple" around here.

Lee wrote:
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))



If you check with a hardwood dealer they often have "economy" labeled
stock which was culled for that sold as FAS. It might have a few
defects but is usually good for smaller projects. Right now my supplier
lists "economy red oak" and "economy hard maple" at $1.50/bd. ft..

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA

Need more info. Where are you located? Hardwood prices are very regional.
For example I live in Wichita, Kansas and an area hardwood dealer gets as
much as $7/bd ft for premium Walnut. $3+ for FAS1F Red Oak. I can (and
occasionally do) drive 200 miles east to SW Mo and get the Walnut for around
$3.10 and oak in the $2 range. In fact I recently bought some nice random,
select Oak for $1.65.

Stay away from the big-box stores and look in your local yellow pages for
"hardwoods", "lumber mills", "hardwood dealers", etc. There are some
internet hardwood search sites but they seem to favor larger, commercial
mills and dealers. In SW Mo you can drive certain highways and see hardwood
signs every few miles.

RonB

"Lee" wrote in message
. ..

Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one.

Have you tried calling local hardwood mills and/or dealers? Better than
asking such an open question, at least that way you would get an answer that
is based upon products that are available in your area, and pricing for your
area too.

First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))



Really...?

--

-Mike-

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:33:18 GMT, "Lee" wrote:

Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

What you need to do is order a big woodworking machine. It'll come on
a nice beat to hell pallet. That's prime crappy hardwood full of
nails for FREE! Sure it won't last very long, but there's always more
tools to buy.


-Leuf

In article ,
Lee wrote:
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))



It might be different in your area, but on the East coast, mid
Atlantic vicinity, soft maple would be a good choice. Not always easy
to stain consistently, though.



--
Make it as simple as possible, but no simpler.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland -

Wed, Nov 22, 2006, 5:33pm (EST+5) (Lee) doth sayeth:
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply, wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to
be machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First
person that says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place.
))))

If ya wind up painting whatever, I'd think using plywood wouldn't
matter.

Like you've been told, different prices in different places.
You'll have to ched in your local area.



JOAT
Democratic justice. One man, one rock.

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:33:18 GMT, "Lee" wrote:

Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

First suggestion would have been soft maple- but you want it
stainable, so I'm going to suggest Ash.

Of course, that will depend on where you're located- if you're
anywhere in the midwest, those two are often less expensive than
knotty pine. Elsewhere, they might be premium woods- hard to say.

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 13:05:27 -0800, Larry Blanchard
wrote:

Lee wrote:

Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use ply,
wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to be
machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First person that
says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place. ))))

I don't know where you are, but around here (Pacific Northwest) I can often
find birch cheaper than any other hardwood.

Oh yeah- forgot about birch again. Not a bad looking wood, either.
Last batch I bought came from the hardwood dealer with some nice
spalting, and was the least expensive wood he had.

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:59:26 GMT, "George" wrote:


"Stephen M" wrote in message
...

"Lee" wrote in message
. ..
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply, wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to
be machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First
person that says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place.
))))


The answer will vary by region. Here in Northern NY, I can get low grade
maple for as cheap as poplar and it's much harder.

You need to ask at your local hardwood supplier what they have.


That's it. Soft maple isn't widely used as cabinet wood, so it tends to be
relatively cheap around here. Mainly just pallets and some flooring. If
you really want cheap, and aren't embarrassed by dents, get bass. Almost
doesn't pay to saw that stuff. makes great insides, unders, and in a shop,
frames.

Hard to even find planks of basswood, though- I don't know that I've
ever seen it thinner than 9/4. That's a carver's wood.

"Prometheus" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:59:26 GMT, "George" wrote:
That's it. Soft maple isn't widely used as cabinet wood, so it tends to be
relatively cheap around here. Mainly just pallets and some flooring. If
you really want cheap, and aren't embarrassed by dents, get bass. Almost
doesn't pay to saw that stuff. makes great insides, unders, and in a shop,
frames.

Hard to even find planks of basswood, though- I don't know that I've
ever seen it thinner than 9/4. That's a carver's wood.

Nope, it's a wood which sells for so little that it's seldom sawed into
lumber, as I said. When the deck is empty of decent lumber, they'll saw it
for pallets to fill the time. Not even graded. Which is a pity, because
it's available large, generally largely clear, stable when cured, and
abundant in the northwoods. Think of all the paintable moldings it could
make, much less insides and under. If you'll offer the half buck a bf it
costs to saw it, they'll be delighted. I take my logs to a local, which is
another option, and pay by the hour.

Makes sweet, fragrant honey if you park your bees nearby.

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 02:16:57 -0600, Prometheus wrote:

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:59:26 GMT, "George" wrote:


"Stephen M" wrote in message
...

"Lee" wrote in message
. ..
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply, wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to
be machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First
person that says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place.
))))


The answer will vary by region. Here in Northern NY, I can get low grade
maple for as cheap as poplar and it's much harder.

You need to ask at your local hardwood supplier what they have.


That's it. Soft maple isn't widely used as cabinet wood, so it tends to be
relatively cheap around here. Mainly just pallets and some flooring. If
you really want cheap, and aren't embarrassed by dents, get bass. Almost
doesn't pay to saw that stuff. makes great insides, unders, and in a shop,
frames.

Hard to even find planks of basswood, though- I don't know that I've
ever seen it thinner than 9/4. That's a carver's wood.

FWIW, the local yard has 4/4 basswood for $2.95/bd ft. Also 8/4 and 16/4
for more.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 02:12:19 -0600, Prometheus wrote:

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:33:18 GMT, "Lee" wrote:

Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to use
ply, wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able to
be machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First
person that says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place.
))))

First suggestion would have been soft maple- but you want it stainable,
so I'm going to suggest Ash.

Of course, that will depend on where you're located- if you're anywhere
in the midwest, those two are often less expensive than knotty pine.
Elsewhere, they might be premium woods- hard to say.

There's a useful tool at http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/wdpick.htm. With
that and the pricelists from your local yards you can generally find an
inexpensive wood for just about anything. Sometimes very helpful. Also,
while it doesn't show it by default there's an option to show location, at
least to the general region--that can help in ruling out particular
species--generally if it's local it's cheaper than if it's imported.

Doesn't include all commercial species (ipe for example is not in its
database) and doesn't make fine distincitions (white oak and LV are both
"hard" for example) but it's still very helpful in finding a species with
a given set of characteristics.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

As stated it is best to get your lumber at your local mill. That is if you
happen to live close to one.
Buying hardwood at HomeDepot is not too economical.
Here we have a local lumber kiln and the average price is around $0.75 CAD
per rough 4/4 thick board foot.
The last time I purchased 3,000 board foot of sap maple, ash and pine and
split the cost and load with one of my friend.

Otherwise, you can get green hardwood and season it for no less than 1 inch
per year.
Palette wood is not all that bad. At time, I get oak which I keep for
structural purposes.
What is not good I burn. At first palette wood appears to be cheap but it
is not.
May time I have nicked planning blades and it is labour intensive.


"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 02:16:57 -0600, Prometheus wrote:

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:59:26 GMT, "George" wrote:


"Stephen M" wrote in message
...

"Lee" wrote in message
. ..
Looking for suggestions on a low cost hardwood ( if there is such an
animal).
Need it for some wood shop cabinets and tool boxes. I don't care to
use
ply, wood should be stainable, reasonably stable and reasonably able
to
be machined. I don't want the perfect wood just a usable one. First
person that says try Google gets a large splinter in a very bad place.
))))


The answer will vary by region. Here in Northern NY, I can get low
grade
maple for as cheap as poplar and it's much harder.

You need to ask at your local hardwood supplier what they have.


That's it. Soft maple isn't widely used as cabinet wood, so it tends to
be
relatively cheap around here. Mainly just pallets and some flooring. If
you really want cheap, and aren't embarrassed by dents, get bass. Almost
doesn't pay to saw that stuff. makes great insides, unders, and in a
shop,
frames.

Hard to even find planks of basswood, though- I don't know that I've
ever seen it thinner than 9/4. That's a carver's wood.

FWIW, the local yard has 4/4 basswood for $2.95/bd ft. Also 8/4 and 16/4
for more.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Prometheus wrote:

I don't know where you are, but around here (Pacific Northwest) I can often
find birch cheaper than any other hardwood.

Oh yeah- forgot about birch again.**Not*a*bad*looking*wood,*either.
Last batch I bought came from the hardwood dealer with some nice
spalting, and was the least expensive wood he had.

And spalted birch is beautiful!

--
It's turtles, all the way down

wrote in message
...
As stated it is best to get your lumber at your local mill. That is if
you happen to live close to one.
Buying hardwood at HomeDepot is not too economical.
Here we have a local lumber kiln and the average price is around $0.75 CAD
per rough 4/4 thick board foot.
The last time I purchased 3,000 board foot of sap maple, ash and pine and
split the cost and load with one of my friend.

Crap, I saw your Sympatico addy and I was going to ask where you're getting
wood that cheap. But then I see the NB in there. Damn. :-)

It's $5+ a bf for Oak around here.

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 11:38:16 GMT, "George" wrote:


"Prometheus" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:59:26 GMT, "George" wrote:
That's it. Soft maple isn't widely used as cabinet wood, so it tends to be
relatively cheap around here. Mainly just pallets and some flooring. If
you really want cheap, and aren't embarrassed by dents, get bass. Almost
doesn't pay to saw that stuff. makes great insides, unders, and in a shop,
frames.

Hard to even find planks of basswood, though- I don't know that I've
ever seen it thinner than 9/4. That's a carver's wood.

Nope, it's a wood which sells for so little that it's seldom sawed into
lumber, as I said. When the deck is empty of decent lumber, they'll saw it
for pallets to fill the time. Not even graded. Which is a pity, because
it's available large, generally largely clear, stable when cured, and
abundant in the northwoods. Think of all the paintable moldings it could
make, much less insides and under. If you'll offer the half buck a bf it
costs to saw it, they'll be delighted. I take my logs to a local, which is
another option, and pay by the hour.

Makes sweet, fragrant honey if you park your bees nearby.

I must have missed something... are you saying it isn't a carver's
wood, or just that it's an underrated wood altogether?

I do agree, though- it'd make better painted moldings than that foam
stuff they sell in a lot of places, and it machines really well.

"Prometheus" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 11:38:16 GMT, "George" wrote:


"Prometheus" wrote in message
. ..
On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:59:26 GMT, "George" wrote:
That's it. Soft maple isn't widely used as cabinet wood, so it tends to
be
relatively cheap around here. Mainly just pallets and some flooring.
If
you really want cheap, and aren't embarrassed by dents, get bass.
Almost
doesn't pay to saw that stuff. makes great insides, unders, and in a
shop,
frames.
Hard to even find planks of basswood, though- I don't know that I've
ever seen it thinner than 9/4. That's a carver's wood.

Nope, it's a wood which sells for so little that it's seldom sawed into
lumber, as I said. .

I must have missed something... are you saying it isn't a carver's
wood, or just that it's an underrated wood altogether?


You didn't miss anything, you just added something of you own to what was
written. The reason you don't see lumber from it, as I said twice, is that
nobody wants it. Keeps the price so low it's almost better to saw poplar.

Two uses and dimensions have been mentioned - carving thick and modeling
thin, where you can ask a premium.

Butternut, there's a nice carving wood.