All I can find in the big box stores here is red oak that's suitable, though I did see someone make a workable bow out of poplar once. I'm specifically looking for ipe decking boards, as I want to have enough pieces to screw up if necessary. I wouldn't mind maple or hickory, and some of the more exotic woods would be nice just to know if I could get them without paying an arm, leg and firstborn cat in shipping them. My back yard has lots of good trees, but my health won't let me fell and split to get good billets. When we get moved into our new house I may see if I can get some help to put up some wood to season, but right now it's looking like I need to just buy boards and go from there.
I order ipe and massuranduba decking boards online. Yes, you have some shipping costs, but there has been little waste with the ones I have gotten when compared to hickory boards I buy locally. If you cut a full inch board like Sam Harper recommends on his web site, Poor folks bows, you can get several bows from 1 board. PM me and I'll give you more details if you are interested.
I go to griffin, ga, there's a dealer of domestics and exotics there, called the Wood Yard. We have inlaws in Macon, so its on the way. I also have a local contact here in Fairhope, al for massaranduba and tigerwood.
Dave
I combed over Birmingham yesterday to be told by most places no, we don't handle boards, no we don't sell singles and no, we aren't interested in helping you find where does. I have a lead for a small sawmill up above Huntsville that I hope to check out soon, but honestly I think short of shipping I'm stuck. Gonna try to take a fallen black walnut limb in the back yard without killing myself, I can see about splitting it afterwards.
halfseminole, what sawmill near Huntsville? I live up close to Huntsville, be glad to go by and check it out and see if they have what you want. I found some hickory at a sawmill in Leeds once, other than that I have been trying to cut some of my own lately. I was told that 88 lumber had hickory, going to check it out this weekend and see what they have.
There is a place called Hardwoods Inc, south of Birmingham in Shelby County. Take 65 south to the Shelby County airport exit, take a right, go to the T, take a left, go to the top of the hill take a right and your there. The have a retail outlet that is open 9 to 5 during the week only. But, they have a great selection of local and exotic hardwoods and decent prices.
I have been all over the Birmingham area and have had the same luck as halfseminole. You would think that people would be interested in making money, regardless of how they made it, but that has proven to not be the case in Central bama.
Hobby hardwoods, up above Huntsville, LoneWolf. Their site says they have stuff worth using. Also, they'll saw your stock for dirt cheap. Doesn't sound too bad if you can't split it yourself.
What kind of wood you interested in and size, I live in Peru and have access to some exotics and will be in Birmingham, in Oct. to bow hunt, pm me if interested.
Kenny you can get IPE in Memphis if your that far north. Don't know about Al
wood crafters in pelham has some exotic woods
its hit an miss on selection and size
also hard woods of alabama has larger pieces
there off shelby county airport exit in calera
Well, I plan to take a trip out next month-this month's budget went on a piece for my PC that was missing. I still do enough work for others I have to maintain it. But now I have places to see, and I know someone has been there first. This is good news.