Source for rough lumber in LA?

[Jason White]

I moved from Boston to Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley) about 1-1/2 years ago and I'm finally getting around to setting up my workshop. :D

Anybody know where there's a place close to me with a decent selection of rough-sawn hardwoods and plywood?

Also, other than Douglas Fir, what are some of the common "native" species of lumber here? I'm hoping those will be a bit cheaper than stuff trucked in from out of state.

Thanks!

- Jason

[Mark Carlson]

Hi Jason,

I live in the valley and use Bohnhoff Lumber in LA. Sometimes I go there and pick out my boards, but I often just call and order and have it delivered. The hours of operations make it hard for me to get there during the week. I've been very happy with what they deliver. I also buy wood online for smaller projects from places like walllumber.com.

I'm interested in what others suggest. I haven't looked for new places in awhile.

~mark

[Shawn Pixley]

Can't help with the plywood. There isn't a whole lot of native wood around here. What you can find through urban forestry is coastal or valley oaks, eucalyptus (red gum / white gum), palm, citrus (lemon or orange), avacado, sycamore, and coastal pine. The urban foresters harvest what others have brought into the area. I have scored elm, pine, fir, cherry, and pear. There aren't a lot (any?) mills around as we live in the coastal semi-desert. There are good lumber yards however. I live to the west of you and patronize Mayan Hardwoods, Sierra Madre sawing and milling, and Hayward lumber in Santa Barbara. I am sure others will chime in as well.

[Sam Layton]

Hi Jason,

Kelley Wright Hardwoods in Anaheim, www.kelly-wrighthardwoods.com (http://www.kelly-wrighthardwoods.com) Is a good place. However, they don't want you to pick out your lumber. They want you to order it with a salesman and they will pull it for you. Bohnhoff Lumber is also good.

Sam

[Greg R Bradley]

I'll make the opposite of Shawn's statement and say I can't help with the hardwoods but I can help with the plywood. Anderson Plywood in Culver City. I travel an hour west to buy there. Link: http://www.Andersonplywood.com

Native woods? LA is a desert. Sagebrush lumber would be pretty small........

[Mike Henderson]

I'll make the opposite of Shawn's statement and say I can't help with the hardwoods but I can help with the plywood. Anderson Plywood in Culver City. I travel an hour west to buy there. Link: http://www.Andersonplywood.com

Native woods? LA is a desert. Sagebrush lumber would be pretty small........

+1 Anderson is good people to deal with. I needed some pieces for drawer bottoms. They had offcuts and sold me a batch at a very good price.

But even beyond that, they're good people.

Mike

[Mark Carlson]

Oh I see that Andersonplywood sells phenolic plywood. I will need to check them out.


I'll make the opposite of Shawn's statement and say I can't help with the hardwoods but I can help with the plywood. Anderson Plywood in Culver City. I travel an hour west to buy there. Link: http://www.Andersonplywood.com

Native woods? LA is a desert. Sagebrush lumber would be pretty small........

[Sean Solan]

Yes, Anderson is top notch. No drama. Also White Cap sells phenolic ply as well. Phillips Plywood in Pacoima has a decent selection of hardwood / softwood solid lumber.

[George Gyulatyan]

I also live in the valley.

I second (or third?) Bohnhoff Lumber. Great people, great prices. They typically have most of domestic hardwoods covered, honduran and african Mahogany, almost always have have Wenge and Zebrawood as well as other exotics. If you're looking for some more exotics, check out http://austinhardwoodsonline.calls.net/locations/location/73 in Santa Ana.

For sheet goods in the valley, I normally go to Far East Plywood in Northridge, or Phillips Plywood in Pacoima. Price-wise it's pretty much a tossup between the two, except Far East is open on Saturdays. Also if you're looking for ApplyPly or Europly, Far East carries ApplyPly (but usually have only shop-grade stuff) and Phillips carries Europly.

If you're looking for great selection on Europly, Anderson Plywood in Culver City is also a great source. They're also the only stable source for Phenolic plywood in the area as far as I know. Compared to either Far East or Phyllips, Anderson can be somehwat more pricey, but they will cut the sheet goods on site if you provide them with a cutlist for a minimal charge.

[glenn bradley]

I can help a bit with prices. Many people use red oak out here (so much that I avoid it with a passion) so it is reasonable. Ash, pecan, hard/soft maple, beech and poplar are reasonable at the yards I use. Cherry and walnut fluctuate so, I often call for the current prices and make a run when the price is down whether I need it or not ;-) Our own Damon Stathatos owns and operates Sierra Madre Sawing and Milling (http://www.sawingandmilling.com/) if you want some really beautiful exotics.

[Ellen Benkin]

Bonhoff is great and they'll let you go through pallets of wood as long as you put the rejects back. If you want something specific call ahead to find out if they have it in stock. Anderson is a good plywood place but they generally only sell full sheets -- although they will cut it to fit into your truck/van/suv.