I suggest finding out where your local woodworkers get their wood. I have found a great lumberyard this way. I can get any kind of wood I want, they will mill it for me to the size I want. I can go back in the yard and select pieces with the straightest grain, etc.
I just looked through a message board where local woodworkers were discussing wood sources and found some suggestions. Or if you can't find info online, there may be some kind of club or organization in your area which you can contact.
The Home Depot by my house in Alexandria has poplar, red oak, and maple. You have to sort through the piles to find ones that are straight and mostly blemish free.
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Be careful what kind of wood you use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JExaZHOfxfY
I suggest finding out where your local woodworkers get their wood. I have found a great lumberyard this way. I can get any kind of wood I want, they will mill it for me to the size I want. I can go back in the yard and select pieces with the straightest grain, etc.
I just looked through a message board where local woodworkers were discussing wood sources and found some suggestions. Or if you can't find info online, there may be some kind of club or organization in your area which you can contact.
Peter Toch
Blue Ridge Woodturners
6565 Fairway View Tr.
Roanoke, VA 24018
(703) 774-4152
Valley Wood Carvers Association
1917 Brookfield Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
(540) 772-7529
Ken Snader
EMAIL
Virginia Mountain Crafts Guild
P.O. Box 1001
Salem, VA 24153
Also, depending on what kinds of tools you have, you can find lumber on Craigslist like this:
http://roanoke.craigslist.org/mat/4080728890.html
or, you can find all wood flooring leftovers that can be cut down into neck pieces fairly cheaply.
(540) 343-4866
3745 Franklin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24014
http://localmarket.thewoodwhisperer.com/Wood_Varieties_For_Projects...
The Home Depot by my house in Alexandria has poplar, red oak, and maple. You have to sort through the piles to find ones that are straight and mostly blemish free.