Exotic Thin Hardwood Stock...

[Corey Hallagan]

I am looking for an intenet site that sells dimensioned thin hardwoods 1/8 to 1/2 in woods like Cocobolo, Zebra, Rosewood etc. I know that Rockler sells some but it is very expensive. I have been buying hardwood from Sloans which is great but I am looking for some exotic woods they don't sell or some pieces that are figured to use for tops etc. for boxes. I don't have a jointer or planer so that is why I need them pre surfaced.

Thanks,
Corey

[David Duke]

Cory, try Constantine's think the site is: www.constantines.com (http://www.constantines.com) , they are showing in the catalog all you have mention plus lots more.anywher from 1/8 to 3/4. 1/4" cocobolo is 19.00 sf, zebra is 11.40 sf.

[Michael Ballent]

Woodworkers Source carry it... not sure about cost, but I have seen it at the store.

http://www.woodworkerssource.com

Or you can give them a call. :)

[Andy Hoyt]

Corey - Stock in that dimension - in any species - will always be expensive since you're paying for the stock, the waste, and the labor to do value added milling.

Why not buy it in one of the more common thicknesses and mill it yourself.

Hint - If you aint got 'em - this represents a great opportunity for a new bandsaw, planer, and drum sander. The Abyss - Part II

[Doug Shepard]

In addition to the others mentioned, I think Woodcraft sells it too. I've often seen it labeled as "Micro Lumber" so a google search might turn up others as well. Dont know what you've got around you in terms of hardwood suppliers, but the couple near me will mill up stuff like that while you wait. You just pick out the board you want and tell them you want it sliced into X-thick pieces. It aint free, but even with the tools to mill it myself, I sometimes go that route just to save the time of having to do it myself.

[Barry Stratton]

As a scroll saw guy, I am constantly on the lookout for this type of wood. I get a great deal of my exotics from www.chitswood.com (http://www.chitswood.com) He runs and Ebay store as well as takes orders. for example, I just ordered 14 pieces of S4S cocobolo 1/8 X 6 X 24 for my dad. Total cost including delivery was $150. He also has WIDE exotics, turning blocks, and other cool wood.

Here's some 11" wide sapele from him....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/bearfretworks/muledeer_sapele.jpg

[Jim Becker]

Corey, as an alternative to buying the expensive "hobby" wood as well as buying all kinds of equipment right now if you can't, perhaps you can hook up with another local woodworker to do a little re-sawing and planing of more common thicknesses of the species you desire. Iowa happens to be one of the "woodworking meccas"...there must me some friendly folks around! Perhaps if you supply the refreshments?

[Corey Hallagan]

There is no doubt that the stuff is going to be expensive. But I have more options now. Thanks guys. Andy, if you could see my shop, you would see I just don't have any more room for machinery. The lathe took up the last piece of vacant space available. Jim, that is a good idea. I will have to look into that. I get thin stock from Sloans that is as nice and flat as you could ever want, it just for the most part is pretty plain wood and not alot of exotic stuff. I want some stuff that has some special stuff for box tops. Again, thanks for all the suggestions guys!
Corey

[Corey Hallagan]

Barry, nice scrolling work! Thanks for the link!

Corey

[Jim Becker]

Corey...one other suggestion for "outstanding" box tops...veneers on a plain thin substrate. Very economical and you can do panels for box tops with a simple shop-built press...no vacuum system needed.

[Rick Whitehead]

If you need stock that is 1/8" thick, try some of the luthier supply companies. They sell REALLY nice exotics, thicknessed and sanded. Pricy, but beautiful!!
Luthier's Mercantile http://www.lmii.com is one place I've dealt with.
Hope this helps.
Rick

[Zahid Naqvi]

I have previously purchased veneer from a guy who sells on the electronic bay and has the user id thinwoodandoldtools. His stock is usually very thin 1/42 but he has a huge collection of exotic veneers and burls. The prices I think are reasonable. the last time I purchased from him the package contained several pieces of backing veneer for free.

P.S. I hope mentioning the ebay id of someone is not against the creek policy.