Woodworker's Journal 1993-17-4, страница 18
Woodworking Basics Continued pallets. Despite the occasional misfire, salvage can pay off. I have extracted some lovely quartersawn oak from castaway library tables and distinctive, pitchy pine trotn floorboards. Alan Peters, my boss when I worked in England, secured a treasure trove of Cuban mahogany— single boards up to 4 ft. w ide—when he bought a load of work tops from one of London's East-end sweatshops. Unless it's pretty special, however, recycled wood is often more trouble than it is worth. That quartersawn oak wasn't really free—it cost me hours dismantling tables and repeatedly resharpening jointer and planer knives dulled in the process of removing the finish. Most of the time it makes sense to buy "fresh" wood rather than scrounge it used. Finding a dependable supplier of quality wood is, for committed woodworkers, on a par with locating a good family doctor or auto mechanic. Over the years I've tapped a wide variety of sources; I hope what I've learned can aid in your search. Your local lumberyard (left) or sawmill (right) are the usual sources for rough stock. Lumberyards You may not have to look any farther than your town's old-fashioned lumberyard for supplies of basic domestic hardwoods—oak. ash. maple, birch, cherry, walnut, sometimes even a regional favorite. Unfortunately, such places are increasingly rare, w ithering in competition with "Home Improvement Centers." where the supply and variety of hardwood varies in inverse proportion to the size and glossiness of the retail showroom. If you encounter a line of shopping carts hy the door, there's no hope. A good lumberyard can be a joy. The selection may not be broad or deep, hut convenience and a personal touch can mean a lot—particularly if you're allowed to pick through the piles. Being able to rummage through several do/en boards to find four with matching grain and color for that special tabletop can more than make up for shortcomings in the inventory. If you live in an urban area, locating a well-stocked lumberyard w ith a sympatico owner or manager may t(l take time. Tour the Yellow Pages and make phone calls, then check out the likeliest candidates in person. Sadlv. the supply of old-fashioned lumberyards dwindles even as the number of serious woodworkers who might appreciate them continues to increase. Where the concentration of woodworkers is high enough, a new type of specialty supplier is appearing. My city now features a store called Hardwood Heaven ("Where good trees go when they die"), which boasts a selection of 40 domestic and exotic species sold by the board or the truckload, as well as a range of veneer and plywood unavailable at even the best local lumberyards. Cabinet and MiHwork Shops When 1 w as making furniture for a living (not much of a living. I'm afraid) I often bought wood from a local mill work shop. They were a big operation, custom-making bank and office fittings and kitchens for area builders, and they kept a large supply of material on hand. 1 got The Woodworker's Journal Large retailers sueh as Paxton Hardwoods select and surface stock (left) before it's offered for sale in their stores (right). |
