Western Red Cedar

[Rich Enders]

Does anyone know of a source for rough sawn western red cedar? I have done an internet search, and only found sources for dimensioned lumber as used for decking, siding, etc. I am looking for 20-50 BF initially. 4/4, and 8/4.

I am told that this comes primarily from the Pacific Northwest, but have been unable to find a source.

[Paul Ryan]

Rich,

I have made about a dozen toy boxes and other boxes out of it in the past. I never had much luck finding it from a lumber supplier around here, but I am in the frozen tundra of MN. I used decking from my local BORG. They also sell cedar boards that are about 7/8 and rough on one side. The trouble is I had to spend a long time picking through to find decent stuff with out cracks, splits, and warping. But it can be done. The 5/4 decking boards are better but they are rounded over on the ends so you have some waste. Personally I love the wood. I can't stand aeromatic cedar, the stuff that smells like hamster poop. But western red that smells like a sauna is awesome. It is kind of a pain to work with because it is so soft, and splits easy. But is well worth it in the long run. The most trouble I had was making raised panels out of it. But the box turned out beautiful.

[Rich Enders]

Paul,

Thanks for the input. Good suggestion to cut down dimensioned boards. This will be for outdoor furniture.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

I built a gazebo for a local nursing home a few years back, and to source my lumber, I ordered in a bunch of 2x6's from Menards. They can get the good stuff, if you ask the right person. Of course every thing needs to be processed from a 2x6, but it works. I like the wood too, but the dust gives me a serious headache.

[Paul Ryan]

I like the wood too, but the dust gives me a serious headache.

I second that. Make sure you wear a mask when sanding. I get cold like symtoms, a sore throat and runny noise, if I breath too much sanding dust from cedar. Cuting and milling it isn't a problem, just the sanding.

[Mark Bolton]

I dont know if you have done a search on the wester red cedar lumber association but we have searched for suppliers there. We buy wholesale cedar from two sources however one is in Columbus OH and the other here in WV. Not much good to you out in AZ.

Finding odd and larger sizes is difficult if you are not purchasing in unit quantities. We have found many sources for 4/4 which is rough one side and smooth the other. However most all dimensional stock we come across is surfaced.

http://www.wrcla.org/purchasing_cedar/distributors.asp

Its often a gauntlet of calls going through these distributor searches but our tactic is usually when someone says they dont have it, ask if they know of anyone who might. Usually you turn up something but it might be 10 calls later.

Mark

[Joe Wood]

I get some very nice vertical grained old growth WR cedar from
http://canadianwoodspecialties.com/ located near San Diego.

[Michael Peet]

I make kayak paddles out of the stuff, but my only local sources are all dimensioned lumber. The smell is great, but as noted above the dust can be mildly toxic.

Mike

[Henry Ambrose]

I'd saw it out of the larger sizes of lumber or timber. You should be able to find that material locally. Its light, easy to handle and to cut. Finding material locally will be cheaper than shipping it in.

When you ask around be sure to ask about timber not just lumber. Larger timbers as used for timber frame structures might be a good source for your project.

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

http://www.cedarsupply.com/ is the place near me that likely has what you are looking for, but its a bit from AZ. Not sure if they could help you out or not.

[Michael Drew]

I built my house and it is a western red cedar log home. Needless to say, I have a bit of experience working with the stuff. As others have mentioned, protect your lungs when sanding. I can't stress that enough. I spent many nights sicker than hell because I didn't.

I trimmed the house with cedar as well as all the siding for the first floor (stick frame), decks, handrails, a sauna, etc, etc. I bought all my cedar from Bear Creek Lumber out of Washington. Great service, OK pricing and an endless selection from tight knot to Clear. They ship all over the world too.

http://www.bearcreeklumber.com/

[Rich Enders]

Per Joe's suggestion I contacted Brent at Canadian Wood Specialties, and he has exactly what I need. He stocks both timbers, and rough sawn lumber, in the sizes I need. The prices in the $2 to $2.50/bf are reasonable also.

Thanks to all your suggestions.

[Joe Wood]

Rich, I'm so glad you contacted Brent! Did you tell him Joe sent you :-)

here are those timbers he has
http://woodsshop.com/Gazebo_Kits/Kne...ectTimbers.htm

This is one of my Azumaya Kits
http://woodsshop.com/Gazebo_Kits/10x...it-Install.htm You can see the old growth vertical grained stock used in the roof parts, and then the timbers (posts and beams).

Some good closeups of the old growth
http://woodsshop.com/Kits/Double-Curve/DCurve.htm

You're going to love working this stuff, just make sure you use dust collection and fans to limit your dust exposure.

[Rich Enders]

Joe,

Nice work. You have put some thought into your designs. I hope business is good.

[Montgomery Scott]

I buy all my cedar for my intarsia projects from Dunn Lumber. I buy the fascia boards in 4/4 or 5/4 rough and plane them down to size. Price is around $2/bd ft.