Where's the lumber in Huntsville, Alabama?

[Jon Hutchinson]

We recently moved from Deland, FL, to Harvest, AL, a small community about 15 miles northwest of Huntsville. Can anyone tell me where I can find hardwoods in this area? I had a few really good sources in central Florida, but have not been able to find a source for a wide variety of rough sawn domestic and exotic hardwoods here in northern Alabama. There's a Woodcraft store a couple of hours north of here in Tennessee, but I'd much prefer to shop locally. Thanks to anyone and everyone who has any leads!

Cheers,
Jon

[Art Mann]

This is where I buy nearly all my furniture grade lumber.

http://www.hobbyhardwoodalabama.com/

These folks are really nice and they have some premium kiln dried locally grown hardwoods.

[Jon Hutchinson]

Thanks Art. I found their web site - I like the woods they sell. It seems they only sell lumber planed to 7/8 inch. Is there another source for 8/4 or 12/4 in the area? Or will Hobby Hardwood sell thicker boards, not planed?

[Art Mann]

You are right about the sizes he stocks. However, he may be willing to work with you on that. If you are buying enough, he might be willing to cut and dry it for you. I (and perhaps some other people) kept asking him about quarter sawn sycamore and, to my surprise, he had a nice batch for sale the last time I was there. I plan to buy more before he sells out.

[Art Mann]

I just saw this ad on Craigslist. I heard about a sawyer out that way but have never been there. You might want to check more on Craigslist. If you find a good place, please post.

http://huntsville.craigslist.org/mat/5719090528.html

[Bob Bouis]

North Alabama's probably a bad place for a few kiln-dried, planed boards; but if you're willing to drive a little ways you ought to be able to score larger lots of rough-cut boards for very reasonable prices from small or amateur sawyers.

[Cameron Handyside]

Hello Jon,

I'm in Huntsville too and besides Hobby Hard Woods (who is great), there are a few other places around the area where we buy lumber:

Bill Hughes Sawmill. He cuts custom as well as spec and has some thicker slabs of local wood.
256 837 1978
sawmill699@gmail.com
1130 Pine Grove Rd.
Harvest, AL, 35749

Eager Beaver Tree Service/Sawmill - I have yet to visit his sawmill but he's in Harvest too and I've dealt with him on tree service and great company.
http://www.eagerbeaverstreeservice.com/saw-mill.html
Business: (256) 772-8009
Business: (256) 759-0346
Huntsville Hardware - Have lumber and ply better selection than HD or Lowes but not cheap
http://huntsvillehardware.com/

David Ashley Sawmill in Elora, TN. Up the road from Hobby Hardwoods. Bigger operation but will cut and sell to individuals too.
http://www.davieashleysawmill.com/contact-us.html

And in Decatur is Littrell Lumbermill. Great, clean selection and competitive prices.
http://www.littrelllumbermill.com/why-choose-littrell.php

And then there is Craigslist where you'll find other smaller mills in the area (Guntersville, Cullman). Most are cutting local wood but that includes a great selection of hard/soft woods. I use a lot of Eastern Red Cedar, White Oak, Sassafras, Poplar, Cypress (from a little south of here), Black Walnut, Cherry, Hickory, Pecan (Bill Hughes has a selection), Osage Orange, Black Locust, Pine (varieties), Hackberry, even Buckeye (?).

Hope this helps and welcome to N. Alabama (closer to Nashville than Montgomery...)

[Art Mann]

Hey Cameron, thanks for the contacts. I live 10 minutes from Bill Hughes' location. I am going to check it out. I think he is the guy who advertises on Craigslist all the time.

[Art Mann]

Update on Bill's Sawmill. I just went by there and spent an interesting half hour. He is into a lot of different things. He has little inventory right now that is dried but he is happy to do custom sawing and drying to whatever dimensions you like if he has the log species you are interested in. He has some unusual logs like sycamore and osage orange. He doesn't keep regular hours and goes all over the place in pursuit of cheap logs and other interests. It is best to call ahead of time. One thing I found noteworthy is that his prices are lower than I have seen elsewhere.

[Cameron Handyside]

Art,

I'm glad you got to visit with him. He milled a bunch of cedar for me and did a great job. I'm hoping to get a chance to build something w/ one of his thick slabs sometime in the near future too. Most sawyers I have met do it on the side, or in retirement and don't keep regular hours but I have enjoyed working with them and using wood that you just can't find anywhere else.

[Jon Hutchinson]

Thanks Art, Cameron and Bob. I'm encouraged. Like Art, I live probably 10 minutes from Bill's Sawmill. I really appreciate the leads.

[Kevin Smira]

I live here in the Harvest/Monrovia area also..about a mile from Sparkman HS, I have yet to go to any of the local sources as I just got into woodworking. There's also city hardwoods in Birmingham.

Kevin

[Jon Hutchinson]

Hey Kevin - thanks for the City Hardwoods lead. A bit of a drive, but according to their website they have good inventory.

[Kevin Smira]

Updating a little late, but I've got a few more leads now. American Hardwoods in Toney. Haven't been, but I hear good things. May try them on Friday. Rugby Architectual Building Supply (or something like that) in Decatur. Geared to cabinet makers. 3/4 ply is only $32 a sheet.