carving stock

[Rich2008]

Where does everyone buy basswood blocks? I see numorus web sites that offer it, but they seem very high priced. I have no lumber yards down here on the coast that carry it. I found one a few months ago, and bought a plank of 3X8X 6', but it turned out to be "heartwood" that was very hard to carve! I think they got it from a moving company that used them for shipping heavy items. I will use it someday for chisel carving.

Just wondering where the best place to buy it is.

Thanks, Rich

[Dan S]

I've alway gotten good wood from Heinicke.

Dan

[carver33]

Rich,

Heinecke Wood Products is a great place and recommended by most of the carvers on these forums.

I recently purchased some Basswood from Krantz Wood Sales and was very pleased with the wood and the price.

Contact Info:

email: jkrantz@usfamily.net
phone: 651-464-5632 (eves)

[gtech]

Last week, when people asked the teacher where he was buying his wood, he said he was using wood from his land, and when I mentioned where I was buying mine, he answered that wood was costly in these stores. He joked that after seeing the price of wood in one of these stores that he should sell wood instead of carving, that he would make more money that way...

So I am also wondering where to buy good carving wood... at a fair price, in Canada...

Gilles

[Soggy]

Here's my experience..........Just over a year ago I asked a similar question. Almost everyone suggested "Order from Heinike" so I did. I couldn't have asked for better wood, or service. The postage (shipping ) was a little high, but hey I live way up here in the boonies so we get used to that
I carved up that lot and then started to look around for a local source so I could save a few pennies on postage. Oh; I found some!;.............but it was nowhere near the quality of Heinike's wood. Guess what? ...........yesterday I ordered a whole bunch of wood from ......................................you guessed it .................................................. .........Heinecke Wood Products ........<--------POKE HERE

Wayne

[Mitchell]

Numberous posts on this subject.....

75% will say Heinecke.

Can't disagree. You'll pay freight, but you will not find better wood. You may find some sources a bit cheaper if you shop around. You mentioned that you shopped locally. You can find basswood at some hardwood specialty type stores in larger towns and cities. Not always planed, but rough cut and not always Northern variety.

Wood is not cheap. It takes time and money to harvest it, cut it to size, dry it, and then ship it.

[Rich2008]

Thanks for the input everyone!
Rich

[mobjack68]

Don't discount Sugar Pine...this was the wood most preferred by patternmakers (metal foundry work) until the early 60's. I knew 2 patternmakers that worked for the military (Navy), one of them tried basswood, said he didn't like it...never thought to ask why. The other, well I will have to wait for my funeral to ask him (hopefully, we will both meet in the same place!!)

Sugar pine is pine, pitch pockets, bark inclusions, etc....BUT, air dried sugar pine cuts almost as easy as basswood. There is a grain pattern visible, but not pronounced and there is almost no difference in the hardness of the growth rings like most other pine species. For those that paint, it will need to be sealed otherwise the "pine" will seep thru the paint.

[mpounders]

I buy from Heinecke and you will be hard pressed to find nicer service. I also occasionaly buy poplar from Lowes/Home Depot stores. I like the way it cuts and have made several spoons from it. Seems to cut easy, but not sure if it is any cheaper than bass wood.