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Where to find exotic woods for boxes?

Ward Holdridge

Ward Holdridge

Joined
Feb 10, 2010
Messages
7
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1
Location
Leland, NC
I am having trouble finding dry exotic woods to use in turning end grain boxes. I'm looking for 3" x 3" to 4" X 4" - lengths of 12" to 24". Any recommendations for dealers will be sincerely appreciated.

Ward Holdridge
ward@ec.rr.com
 
I just ordered some blanks from www.woodheadz.com and they are beautiful! I paid less for more highly figured wood than I'd ever find at Woodcraft or Rockler. They are really great about combining shipping, too. They deal mostly with burl (redwood, walnut, madrone, etc.). It's all dry and stable.

I also am always checking out ebay on a daily basis: http://crafts.shop.ebay.com/Turning-Wood-/71235/i.html

Here is one more place that I heard is awesome. I haven't gone yet, because I need to whittle down my current stock, but it's my understand that this is where a lot of the Southern California turners get their really nice, exotic stock: http://www.anexotichardwood.com
 
There are lots of places that sell exotics (Gilmer Woods in Portland is one), and they have rooms that are "if you have to ask, you can't afford it anyway". You will most likely not be able to find blanks that size that are dry. I rough turn my boxes and tape the ends together, no matter how dry they are, and let them sit for a month or two before returning. All wood will move/adjust to having mass removed.

robo hippy
 
Here's the problem...

most of what I turn requires it to be dry in the respect that it has reached the equilibrium moisture content that my environment will allow.
I have been buying exotics for 10+ years, I bring it home, mark the date on it and put it in the house.Yes, the house. A bone of contention at times, but spare and upper shelves of closets can hide a bit,
When I need some exotics, I pick from older stock,(which has the most likelihood of being "dry").

Maples and domestic burl drys faster usually (not as dense).

Anyway, when I want to use it, I take the wood and put it in the shop for a few days. Then cut it and let it sit for a few days. If it isn't a spiderweb when done, then we turn. ADD sometimes takes over and it doesn't get turned for months.

But with most exotic dealers that have a fair amount of turnover of product, you can ask when it was cut/imported and get a fairly accurate time frame. Beware of those that are thick and kiln dried. Even if they kiln dried something 16/4, it would have taken a long time in the kiln to dry it without stress (maybe never?) so you need to be suspicious of that.

It becomes a lot of speculative buys, not knowing exactly what direction I will be on in a few years, but I have an awesome collection.
 
Kenny Jacobson said:
Here is one more place that I heard is awesome. I haven't gone yet, because I need to whittle down my current stock, but it's my understand that this is where a lot of the Southern California turners get their really nice, exotic stock: http://www.anexotichardwood.com
Click to expand...

I stopped by Tropical Exotic Hardwoods in March when I was in the area and they have an impressive array of turning wood that looks like it's got 20 years of dust on it. I didn't inquire since I couldn't bring the pieces I lusted for in my carry-on luggage, but they may very well have some truly dry wood.
 
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