What does the term "boules" mean in woodworking?

[Jim Paulson]

Hi,

I've been shopping around for sources of honduras mahogany and the term "boules" has showed up in some of the ads by suppliers. Although I think it probably doesn't apply to what I'm doing, please help me understand what this word means to woodworkers/lumber suppliers.

Thanks,
Jim

[Jerome Hanby]

As illiterate as the population is now becoming, wonder if that's how they spelled "bowls"... Thought it might be some obscure measurement for pressure, but can find no reference for that use (and not sure why you would need that in a wood description).

[Dave Gaul]

Could you provide us the context in which the word is used? Might help decipher the intent...

[Steve Friedman]

Hi,

I've been shopping around for sources of honduras mahogany and the term "boules" has showed up in some of the ads by suppliers. Although I think it probably doesn't apply to what I'm doing, please help me understand what this word means to woodworkers/lumber suppliers.

Thanks,
Jim

From Groff's Lumber website: :logs sawn through and kept together"

[lowell holmes]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/buhl


A French cabinet maker?

[Jerome Hanby]

That's cool to know. Is that term interchangeable with "flitch"?


From Groff's Lumber website: :logs sawn through and kept together"

[Chris Fournier]

En Francais! Yes you could say that flitch is a good translation to English.

[mike holden]

That's cool to know. Is that term interchangeable with "flitch"?

Yes, but with the caveat that flitch is used primarily for veneer and boule with planks. You buy an entire log cut into planks, no matter how cut - plainsawn, quarter sawn, etc.- you are said to be "buying in the boule".

Obscure term. Not sure if buying less than the total log is buying in the boule.

Mike

[Jim Paulson]

Steve, Mike, and others, the comments were very helpful here. I certainly appreciate the input.

Jim

[Curt Harms]

I wonder if boule is an alternative spelling to bole. Definition here: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bole. Tree trunk.

[glenn bradley]

Ja, ja; ist dein "flitch".

[mike holden]

I wonder if boule is an alternative spelling to bole. Definition here: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bole. Tree trunk.
Yes, it is the french spelling. Sounds more exotic that way. grinnnnn!
Mike

[Thomas Bank]

From Groff's Lumber website: :logs sawn through and kept together"

Yep, heard the term for the first time while at Groff & Groff and looked it up after coming home.