I saw some teak the other day for $24.00/BF. WOW. That's all. Just wow.
[OP]
Contributor
I saw some teak the other day for $24.00/BF. WOW. That's all. Just wow.
That's what it is around here too.
Member
In the Southeast Teak is usually in the $1.40 / BF range. For $24 / BF that must be some "very special" Teak.
Charley
Contributor
There's two kinds of teak in my dealers: plantation-grown, and nature-grown. The nature-grown stuff comes from trees that grew without human help. The plantation-grown stuff comes from trees raised specifically for harvest. Nature-grown trees are almost all gone, so the lumber is expensive -- $20-plus bucks per board foot. The plantation-grown stuff is much more affordable -- $8 per bd ft in one of my dealers. A downside to the plantation lumber is that it is often short -- four to six feet long.
Contributor
The yard I go to in Denver has FSC teak (I don't know what that means) for $50/ bdft!
Member
I bought some large book matched or consecutive boards (24" x 120" x 5/4") of very curly teak last year at $48/bf. I had never seen teak with this type of grain pattern before. Anymore I try to buy special woods when I find them because you just don't find them very often these days.
It seems unfair; now that I have saved, sacrificed, and scrimped to build a nice shop with quality tools... I can't afford today's wood prices.
Scott in Montana
Member
FSC is Forest Stewardship Council.
It means that the wood was grown in sustainable conditions.
Veni Vidi Vendi Vente! I came, I saw, I bought a large coffee!
Member
That "very special" teak usually originates from Mexico and it has much better color and grains than the Southeast Asia teak. This "very special" teak have richer browns and often have dark brown or black grainings in contrast to the very light colored yellowish Asian teak. The "real" teak also seems more denser than the usually light Asian teak that has a mahogany feel and texture. The Southeast teak is often touted to be the same thing and not different than the Mexican teak except the country of origin. Somehow, I don't think so because the two types sure looks so much different.Originally Posted by Charles Lent
Member
Wow! Unless you've cut the logs yourself or are able to deal directly with a sawyer or specialist retailer, it's very difficult to find consecutively cut hardwoods, particularly so when you're talking imported stuff. Nice purchase, Scott.
Member
The teak wasn't sold to me as consecutive boards. In fact, it wasn't until a few days while I was talking on the phone casually looking at the boards spread out on the wall that I noticed the simularities. Because of the curliness of the grain it wasn't immediately apparant that these were matched boards. So I started putting the puzzle together trying different combinations and raising or lowering the boards up to six inches; finally I got all six boards in order and matched up. Quite a bonus!
I found them at a small hardwood dealer in Helena, MT. He took a gamble in buying them from his supplier, but like myself, he buys special wood when he sees it.
I'm sure the right project(s) will present itself in the coming years.
Scott
Contributor
It's about all I buy as I do yacht carpentry.
I am paying $22 bf for 4/4 in random widths up to 10", $26bf for 6/4 and thicker and $28bf for wider than 12".
It adds up fast at these prices...
Member
Charles if you don't mind could you please tell me where you buy teak at for $1.40 a bf? I live in NC too and I would drive anywhere in the state for that price.
Contributor
For that price I will drive down from Maryland...
Member
+1 on that, I'd expect that price for a linear inch quote when it comes to Teak prices...I think it's $36 BF or better around here
Member
Must be nice. I have not seen teak around here for less than $35 per bf in ten years. But everything costs more in Alaska.
Man advances just in proportion that he mingles thought with his labor. - Ingersoll
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