Lumber yards or wood sources in Maryland & How to order wood

[msw]

I live in Maryland and am wondering where I can buy quality wood for furniture making. 

Where can I find reclaimed wood?  I heard that I can save a lot of money by using reclaimed wood.

I am interested in maghony, walnut, cherry, as well as ebony

I am just starting in buying wood, but I am having a challenge in finding places where I can buy quality wood in Maryland.

Some people recommend the internet, but I just want to be sure that I go to a reputable supplier.  Know of any?

How do I place an order for the wood, because the suppliers ask a lot of questions and I get very lost.  I just learned that there is air-dried wood, klein-dried wood.  I think that the klein-dried wood the colors get affected by the process.  I am unsure if this is correct or not.

Please explain the terminology if you reply to my post as I am a novice.

Thank you for your reply.

 

[Per Swenson]

Easy,

Punch your zip code here

Kiln dried is just that, its a low heat long term oven.

Air...well its air.

Don't be afraid of lumber suppliers

If they don't make you happy, you won't come back.

They can't have that.

Per

 

[jpb]

I live in Harford County and purchase wood at Groff & Groff located in Quarryville PA, great selection.
http://www.groffslumber.com/

 

[neoshed]

Where are you in MD?

 

[JayStPeter]

When I lived in Montgomery county, I used to frequent Hardwoods Inc. in Frederick.  The Woodcraft in Rockville also has a good selection of the basics, but a little expensive.  Annapolis has a place to get real nice wood (not cheap, but very good quality), I don't remember the name but will look it up if it's convenient to you.  There are also good places in Chantilly (Dunlap?) and Leesburg, VA.  I now live in St. Marys county and have a couple places to get stuff down here.  Good prices at Maryland Select Hardwoods in LaPlata.  But, if you live down this way I can point you to some other sources although they are mostly local woods (Oak, Poplar, soft Maple).

 

[jpb]

Aberdeen MD

 

[neoshed]

I'm assuming your in Columbia from your classified post. Frederick isn't that far of a drive

 

[msw]

I live in Columbia, Maryland

 

[JayStPeter]

From Columbia I'd say Hardwoods Inc. in Frederick, Exotic Lumber Inc in Annapolis.  Tools and accessories, you have Woodcraft in Towson and Skarie Inc. in Baltimore.  It might be worth a trip to the recommended place in PA above when you need larger quantities as the places around DC/Baltimore are a bit pricey.

 

[Tinker]

  I just learned that there is air-dried wood, klein-dried wood.  I think that the klein-dried wood the colors get affected by the process.  I am unsure if this is correct or not.

I got hold of an old Walnut beam down around Leesburg and brought it home to Connecticut.  The main part of the bean went for a fireplace mantel. (rough cut with chainsaw)  What was left, i have been slowly cutting up for small projects.  The first piece i planed down I noticed a whole rainbow of colors if you looked at it against proper angle to light.

I called a friend of mine (retired cabinet maker from western PA south of Syracuse) and told him of my discovery.  He told me it was airdried.  From my discription, he told me the only place he knew where the coloring could be so prominant was walnut from along Delaware river in New Jersey. (anywhere near you, Per & Bob)  He said the only way you can find such coloration was to air dry.  Once it is kiln dried, you cannot see such color.

For any who question what I saw, the coloring reminded me of the side of a rainbow trout looking at it thru dark glasses.  As i type, i am looking at a letter tray i made when i first started making dovetails.  My first dovetails.  You can see the coloration as i never put a finish on it.  I cannot bring out the color with my camera, but it s there if you look closely.  My friend said not to finish it with anything but linseed oil, or I would lose the color.

Another difference in color with walnut is that it will get lighter with time if you do not kiln dry it.  (same source for that info)
Tinker

 

[Jesse Cloud]

You aren't too far from the mecca of fine woods, Hearne Hardwoods in Oxford, PA Hearne.

The prices aren't great, but the quality and variety is awesome.

Almost all wood is kiln dried these days.  It takes a long time to air dry wood, a year for each inch of thickness.  Air dried does have different color properties and it bends much better.

Find a lumber yard that will spend some time with you and start the conversation by describing the project you are buying for.  A good yard will direct you to the best wood for that type of project.

If you are willing to buy the wood sight unseen, you can get some pretty good deals on the internet. 

 

[Larry Fox]

I second (or third) the vote for Hearne.  If you are in Columbia you are a short drive away.  Groff & Groff is also a very nice yard.

 

[Chowman]

Field trip today to visit both Hearne and Groff's. Both have a great selection. Domestic or exotics. Both provided superb customer service. Hearne carries a larger stock. They also offer common quality of cherry and walnut (others as well) that is lower in price. Anyone in the area would do well to visit either supplier. In fact, they are only 30 minutes or so apart, so you could easily visit both.

 

[Greg_R]

It is well worth the drive out to Hicksville Planing Mill, located out past Hagerstown, MD:

14464 Hicksville Road
Clear Spring, MD 21722-1240
(301) 842-3474 (they are usually on the floor, don't expect an answer)
0700-1700 MTuWF, 0700-1200 Sa

typical prices for clear walnut are $4/bf and cherry & curly maple for $3.50/bf.  Clearance and smaller pieces are sold much cheaper (