Grading hardwood sources in Georgia

[jim gossage]

i have recently bought some hardwood in Georgia Iincluding several internet sources) and had good and bad experiences. the following is my analysis of several suppliers, for anyone who is interested.

Atlanta hardwoods
Location: Northern atlanta; www.hardwoodweb.com (http://www.hardwoodweb.com)
Mode of purchase: at store and by phone
Selection of wood: excellent
Quality of wood: very good
Prices: moderately high; 4/4 hard maple 6.23/bf; 4/4 black walnut 6.44/bf; plus, they add on 7% for kiln shrinkage.
Shipping: ship to atlanta area but not as far as augusta, GA (they used to).
Customer service: good in store and phone service, though no major issues.

Oswald lumber
Location: leesville, SC; www.oswald.doitbest.com (http://www.oswald.doitbest.com)
Mode of purchase: in store
Selection of wood: excellent source for baltic birch and general construction; also carry oak and maple
Quality of wood: exellent
Prices: good
Shipping: yes
Customer service: nice but not very knowledgeable about hardwood.

Internet lumber
Location: yadkinville, NC; www.internetlumber.com (http://www.internetlumber.com)
Mode of purchase: internet/phone
Selection of wood: good
Quality of wood: poor (based on one purchase; see photos of boards that were shipped as FAS1F+)
Prices: excellent; 4/4 hard maple about 3.00/bf; 4/4 black walnut 4.00/bf
Shipping: yes; good price
Customer service: poor; i ordered 20 BF (7 boards) of 4/4 FAS1F+ walnut and only 4 of the 7 boards were really up to NHLA grade - although 2 of these boards had such severe side bend that they were junk (so really only 2 of 7 boards were useable); after 4 calls and 3 emails, they sent an additional 5 BF, which was almost FAS1F+. i will probably not buy from them again.

Steve Wall Lumber
Location: Mayodan, NC; www.walllumber.com (http://www.walllumber.com)
Mode of purchase: internet/phone
Selection of wood: excellent
Quality of wood: very good (based on one purchase)
Prices: very good; 4/4 hard maple about 3.45/bf; 4/4 black walnut 4.00/bf
Shipping: yes; good price
Customer service: excellent, ordered from the owner himself; he is very knowledgeable and helpful.

[Terry Beadle]

Many thanks for the listing and evaluations. I've used Steve Wall before with good results. I've used Atlanta Hardwoods for many years. Your evaluation is dead on. They have good customer service in person but I've never dealt with them over the phone. They also have a really good turner's supply of chunks. One thing I like about them is that they occasionally have a special pallet of cherry off cuts and they also have quarter sawn white oak in 1/2 inch thickness that is from the core of logs used to make veneer. It's a good stock to make a box out of as it has the lightness built in.

Thanks again!