Retiring

[John Brennaman]

I'm retiring at the end of the year and moving to the Daytona Beach area. I have lived in Kansas/Missouri all my life and am used to finding hardwoods at reasonable prices. As I look for a supplier in the Daytona area (or even within a couple of hundred miles or so) I find that prices are about double what I pay in the midwest. Any Floridians out there who know of a place I can find my hardwood at reasonable prices. I work mostly in red oak, soft and hard maple, cherry and walnut.

Thanks, John

[Ken Fitzgerald]

John.....I can't help you with wood sources ....but Congratulations on the upcoming retirement!

[Tom Hintz]

John, Jump in, the retirement water feels great! I actually made my retirement official today (first SS deposit!!)!
I am only slowing my journalism business but will keep up with my sites as that was my retirement plan in the first place.
I am sure that you will find wood and tool sources in your new abode. Woodworkers are stubborn that way!

[John TenEyck]

Congratulations John on your upcoming retirement. There truly is no such thing as a bad day ! Some are better than others, but no bad ones. Anyway, if you can't find any local wood suppliers there's always the internet. I've bought some nice veneer that way and I read all the time from folks here that get good deals on lumber. Or you might consider trailering some from MO once or twice a year on trips home. You'll figure it out.

[Jim Holman]

Check out Toms Cypress. Acres of very large slabs of most east coast woods.

http://www.tomscypress.com/

[Jim Matthews]

Try woodwinder with your destination zip code.

Better yet, check Craigslist for guys that are cleaning out their garage.
You'll likely find a working group of duffers that have leads for you.

FYI - Caribbean heart pine is very cool stuff, and readily available South of the panhandle.

[John Brennaman]

Thanks from all the well-wishers. My wife and I have sacrificed quite a bit over the years to make this move possible. We are leaving kids and a grandchild behind in Kansas (adult kids of course), so yes, we will be returning at least 2 or 3 times a year. I thought about driving the truck instead of the car when we come up, however 28 miles to the gallon for the car as opposed to 12 for the truck might not make hauling lumber back with me worthwhile. I've thought of buying a trailer to pull behind the car. That might be the way to go or maybe I can find a supplier up north but not quite the 2600 mile round trip back to Kansas.

[dave toney]

Congrats John,
I would imagine that most domestic hardwoods will be more expensive in Florida, the upside might be that imported woods may be less expensive.
Enjoy your retirement!
Dave

[Gary Hodgin]

Sorry, can't help with the ww question, but congratulations on the retirement. Hope you enjoy Daytona, just don't swim with the sharks. I watched "Shark Week" last week, so they're on my mind.

[John Brennaman]

Thanks, Gary. Let's just keep that little tidbit from my wife.:)

[Paul McGaha]

Congratulations John. Wish it was me.

I'm guessing you wont have to go too far to get affordable wood. Hope so.

PHM

[Bruce Wrenn]

As you have already mentioned, freight is a large part of the cost of wood in area to which it isn't native. I subscribe to a national cabinet publication. The prices they list in their pricing surveys are much less than what I pay. Check around, and you will find some local sawyers who also dry wood. You should be able to find cypress, southern yellow pine, popular, and both red and white oak locally harvested, plus local species.

[John Brennaman]

Thanks to all for the "Well Wishes". I am definitely looking forward to spending more time in the woodshop and just relaxing. I'm sure I will be able to come up with a solution to my wood situation.

[Don Buck]

Congrats on your upcoming retirement. You shouldn't have too much problem finding some excellent hardwoods in Florida. I've sold hardwood lumber for both an Appalachian and a Southern sawmill into the Florida market and found the distributor demand was usually higher for the Appalachian stock as a high percentage of their clients were also retired, many from the Northeast who wanted similar grades and species as they were accustomed to in their homes and projects back "home". I would suggest you google Hood Distribution, W.M. Cramer Lumber or Heritage Forest Products as they all have a Florida presence. I don't know if they provide retail sales but if not they should surely offer advise on which of their customers offer retail sales.

[John Brennaman]

Thanks, Don. I will check them out.

[Ronald Blue]

One other possibility I didn't see mentioned is because you are moving to a popular vacation and winter retirement area is the possibility of having someone bring you lumber on their trips. Possibly even family when they come to visit. Might be a win win for both of you. Give them help with gas expense and you get lumber for less. Just another idea that might work unless you need large quantities. Enjoy your retirement. I don't think I could ever get the LOML to move away from the kid's and grandkids.

[Gene Howe]

We make one or two trips per year to the midwest and always by truck towing a trailer. Even at 3400 miles RT at 8-12 mpg, I find it more economical than purchasing oak, walnut and maple in AZ. The trick is to haul at least 300 BF. Any less is not as cost effective.

[Rick Levine]

I went through the same dilemma when I retired and moved to New Mexico a few years ago but finally realized that what I should build is what is native to my new home. One doesn't often find furniture here in New Mexico made from hardwood species but rather different types of local wood. Now, don't get me wrong there are some areas here with hardwood, I do have some semi local walnut but instead of paying the high price for it I decided to concentrate on mostly Ponderosa Pine, a very prominent specie and what a lot of furniture is made from. Anyway it looks more natural here and I would rather blend into the lifestyle rather than fight it. Afterall that's one of the reasons I chose this place to live.

[Rick Fisher]

John, congrats on the retirement.

If hardwoods are twice the price in Florida, consider this..

You buy mixed truckloads back home, or wherever you can get the best quality and price. Have it shipped to Florida. The freight will be minor on 50,000 lbs..

Then you start advertising on CL .. Sell it at a nice 33% margin, but still cheaper than everyone else in Daytona.

Of course you will need a forklift and a small warehouse. Insurance and a licence..

As business grows, you can do custom milling, sell sheet goods, maybe a small retail presence .. become a Festool dealer.. Watch out for router bits, the turns suck..

Have a great retirement ..

[Rick Levine]

John, congrats on the retirement.

If hardwoods are twice the price in Florida, consider this..

You buy mixed truckloads back home, or wherever you can get the best quality and price. Have it shipped to Florida. The freight will be minor on 50,000 lbs..

Then you start advertising on CL .. Sell it at a nice 33% margin, but still cheaper than everyone else in Daytona.

Of course you will need a forklift and a small warehouse. Insurance and a licence..

As business grows, you can do custom milling, sell sheet goods, maybe a small retail presence .. become a Festool dealer.. Watch out for router bits, the turns suck..

Have a great retirement ..

I think you missed the operative word... retirement. Why would he want to start a business now? ;)

[Rick Fisher]

Well.. sure .. but what is he gonna do all day ? :)

Scrap the retail space.. just do the warehouse.. lol ..

[Don Bullock]

John, welcome to the fantastic world of retirement. You're going to enjoy your new "freedom."

I live in Southern California where, like Florida, we have no "native" hardwood. Sure we do get some imports from Mexico, but they are still shipped in from a long distance. It's just the way things are. Many have given some great ideas for purchasing hardwood elsewhere and getting it back home. For, mainly because I don't do much traveling to areas with hardwoods, I've chosen just to pay the price for living where I do. My purchases are limited to what I "need" for a planned project and some "special" pieces that I find. Fortunately I have a vast number of sources within an hour or so from my home. I just found two new ones this past week. Some local sources offer the most exotic hardwoods available (with prices to match). No, it's not the best scenario, but it's what's best for me right now. Perhaps as I get more used to retirement and more involved with my woodworking I'll find other ways to purchase hardwood. Perhaps as you search the resources around you you'll find that there are more sources for good hardwood than you think there are.

I sure wish you the best in your retirement.