Buying Basswood Blocks

[hec357]

I'm looking to buy some basswood blanks, I'm interested in 3x3, 4x4 at least 12". Most places have decent prices and then comes the shipping and handling cost which is almost as much as the cost of the wood blank. Any suggestions and recommendations on where to buy wood blank and a decent price?

[Mitchell]

Common question....

Most will recommend Heinecke (as would I). Unfortunately, freight is expensive.

You may be able to find a local source, but since you don't list a location, I can't help.

EDIT - I see Brooklyn NY as your location. There's a few clubs reasonably close. They would be able to help with finding wood sources. Here's a list of clubs in NY (State) Follow link -> Wood Carving Illustrated - How To Magazine for Carvers


Previous discussions:

Quality Basswood

http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...asswood+source

Buying Basswood!

Question - wood source?

[Eddy-Smiles]

Hec... Your best bet is going to be to buy in bulk. Figure out the break even point on shipping versus product ordered. For instance, the way I figure it, you could order four each 3x3x12 and three each 4x4x12 basswood blocks from Smoky Mountain Wood Carvers , keep the order between their $25-$50 = $9.00 shipping, and it would cost you less than a $1.50 per piece for shipping. That's way cheaper than you could even buy it off the shelf at Woodcraft. Heinecke's prices might even be better.

[TOEKNEE]

i buy from heineckes...always excellent wood. eddy has it right, the more you buy, the better you will do on freight...

[JIM QUILICI]

if you take the price of the wood and then add the price of shipping from Heineckes.....its still cheaper than just the wood I have priced at other places.......you buy from others at their higher prices and then still have to pay shipping......I still think you will find that Heineckes is the best deal in town...........imho

Jim

[Claude]

You might go to Google and search for sawmills in NY, or basswood lumber although I agree that Heinecke is probably the least expensive per board foot, shipped. They also will cut custom sizes for you at no additional charge.

Claude

[Benjamin]

try smoky mountain wood carvers, townsend TN, and talk to mac. He is sending me a piece big enough for a mantle and he is very reasonable