Woodcraft lumber prices

[Peter Quadarella]

My local Wodcraft is very conveniently located only 15 minutes away. They have a nice supply of all kinds of different hardwoods. I'm just getting into hardwood furniture stuff and wonder how their prices compare to a real hardwood supplier.

Can someone with more experience tell me what the comparison is like? The stuff seems expensive but I have nothing to base that feeling on. If it's way over normal cost I could still use them for the odd trim piece and go to a real supplier for the rest.

Thanks.

[Anthony Whitesell]

Here in New Hampshire, I have found the prices at Woodcraft and Rockler to be so much higher than the lumber yards I wouldn't even consider using them for the odd trim pieces. But, they do have bowl blanks that the lumber yards don't even stock.

[scott spencer]

My regular rough sawn supplier also supplies my Woodcraft store...his prices tend to be close to 1/2, but it's cash on the barrel in a much less professional setting, plus WC surfaces a couple of sides. The WC near me is definitely more expensive, but I don't think they're outrageous either.

[George Summers]

Woodcraft is a 'convenience' hardwood supplier. From where you are, check out the websites for 'The Hardwood Store of North Carolina' and 'Wall Lumber'. they have price lists on line which you can compare to WC's prices.

George

[Bill Wyko]

I like both Woodcraft and Woodworkers Source. I've usually found Woodworkers to be a little cheaper.

[Bob Stegemann]

I agree Woodcraft is very expensive. I've had Wall Lumber ship to me in KY and was very pleased with lumber, prices & service. You might also check www.woodfinder.com (http://www.woodfinder.com) for other dealers in your area. I know that there is one near Hickory but do not recall his name.
Bob

[Jim Becker]

Generally...."ching...ching..." $$$$$$ Nonetheless, sometimes convenience wins out for a specific need. But you'll be best served to find a regular specialized source or sources for your hardwood.

[Robert Waddell]

Peter,
As a local and one that has bought quite a few sticks of wood from that WC, I can tell you that they are not bad on the exotics. Most of the local folks pride themselves on praising Steve Wall Lumber and our WC has lower prices on many exotics than SWL and you don't have to drive across the state to get it. On domestic woods they are somewhat high but not unrealistic for retail. I'm a full time ww'er and I buy most of my lumber quite a bit lower than their prices but I'm buying wholesale. I could go into some other local vender options but this is not the place. If your interested PM me.
Rob

[Norm Roberts]

Peter another important consideration is the volume you intend to purchase. If you go to a large supplier, the cost will come down as the volume goes up. I will always buy more than I need to get a discount, which leaves me with an inventory to work off of for a period of time. I also buy in the rough and surface, as I need it. This way all of my lumber I am using for a given project is dimensionally the same and some times allows me to work with lumber a little thicker than 3/4 inch. Lastly, you might consider looking for a private mill or someone with a portable saw mill that has lumber for sale. I once bought several hundred board feet of Oak from an Amish mill for as little as $0.75 a board foot. It was mixed grade as it came out of the tree and I had to sticker it to air dry for the next year; but then worked off of that pile for the next couple of years to come.

PS if you go that route, buy a moisture meter.

[Mike Cutler]

Peter

For domestic hardwoods, I can find prices cheaper than Woodcraft, but for exotics They can be competitive. I've also purchased wood in Woodcraft that I can't find anywhere else, except the internet either. Movingui, Curly Peruvian Walnut, African Blackwood, Macassar Ebony, Anigre.
The 2 stores that I can drive to, Warwick RI and Manchester Ct, are also staffed by pretty nice folks, which makes it easier to drop a few extra $$$ on wood.

[Peter Quadarella]

Thanks for the info guys!

[glenn bradley]

On the left coast the Woodcraft and Rockler stores carry lumber as a convenience to their customers. The prices are quite high compared to a lumber yard and they are not apologetic about it, nor should they be.

If grabbing a chunk of rosewood to help you along with a current project while you're in the store anyway for some other item is convenient (or time saving) then rock on. Around here though I would not consider them a source if I had any time to plan on what I was going to need. YMMV.

[Larry Fox]

In a word - outrageous. I completely understand why they price the way that they do but WOW.

[Peter Quinn]

Ditto previous responses...I've seen prices in my local WC that were 2X to 4X higher on domestics than I'd pay at my local mill or cabinet shop supplier on most domestic species. Also I prefer to buy my lumber rough, full thickness to have room for flattening and dimensioning. It can be easier to color and grain match when pulling frrom a 1000BF pack from the same mill, often wood from the same tree. But until your used to picking and sighting rough lumber it can be a risky and expensive proposition...there's lots of cracks, checks and sap hiding in the rough.

The guys at woodcraft are friendly, helpful and forgiving where the cabinet suppliers tend to cater to professionals, lets say guys starting out may get rough treatment at some lumber yards and mills.

Prices go down on quantity in most yards and large internet suppliers, if woodworking becomes a long term habit it is worth developing relationships with a few sources to keep things affordable and interesting. Woodcraft is a fine place to start.

[Tom Henderson2]

On the left coast the Woodcraft and Rockler stores carry lumber as a convenience to their customers. The prices are quite high compared to a lumber yard and they are not apologetic about it, nor should they be.

If grabbing a chunk of rosewood to help you along with a current project while you're in the store anyway for some other item is convenient (or time saving) then rock on. Around here though I would not consider them a source if I had any time to plan on what I was going to need. YMMV.

Hi Glenn-

Where in SoCal do you shop for hardwood lumber? I'm new to the game, and a ways from you up here in Ventura but still interested in SoCal sources.

Thanks...

-Tom H.

[Brian Kent]

On the left coast the Woodcraft and Rockler stores carry lumber as a convenience to their customers. The prices are quite high compared to a lumber yard and they are not apologetic about it, nor should they be.

If grabbing a chunk of rosewood to help you along with a current project while you're in the store anyway for some other item is convenient (or time saving) then rock on. Around here though I would not consider them a source if I had any time to plan on what I was going to need. YMMV.

Glenn, where do you buy your wood?

Brian Kent - Riverside, CA

[rocky brown]

loml bought me 2 pieces of wood for christmas at woodcraft. cherry and maple 3/4x4x36" that was finished on 4 sides- i found out after i had cut them that she paid $38 + tax...

look on your local craigslist under materials.

rb

[James Hart]

I like both Woodcraft and Woodworkers Source. I've usually found Woodworkers to be a little cheaper.

Try Spellmans in Phoenix. Recently picked up some 4/4 hard maple, 150BF. Woodworkers Source was $6.25 Selects, S2S. Spellmans $3.75 FAS, S2S.
Spellmans has a truck in Tucson 2 or 3 times a week and will deliver.

[Vic Damone]

The key is to know all your options not only for price but also for the wood itself. I'm drawn to highly figured or unique color and it becomes prudent to purchase the stock almost regardless of the retailer.

I'd like to know of more rough cutters in my area.

Vic