Need a source ...

[Ted iin Michigan]

... for some figured red or white oak pen blanks. I have a potentially significant customer who says the ordered pens MUST be native to Michigan. I have the other woods I want but oak is a problem (which is curious as it is everywhere here). The "normal" sources either don't carry what I need, are out of stock or are pretty pricey. Ed & Dawn and other IAP vendors don't show anything so I'm semi-desperate. Dry is best. Stabilized not required.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Monty]

I have some spalted oak blanks, but since I'm in Texas, they would not be native to Michigan.

 

[jttheclockman]

Find a lumber yard near you and buy some boards and cut them up. Not telling if they were grown in your state but not sure there is a way to tell unless it has a distinct color or other telltale sign.

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

Thanks, Monty, but you're right - no go. Appreciate the offer.

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

JT - I have an excellent supplier here (Johnson's Workbench in Charlotte, MI). They have about any wood I would want but their red and white oak generally isn't figured. Just awful when all you can find is clear wood!!! And the wood doesn't have to be native to Michigan, just the species.

 

[oldtoolsniper]

200987850821 EBAY item number. This guy is in your state. Seller is offering figured oak bottle stopper blanks.

Just do a search and ask for the auctions closest to you.


Sent from my iPad using Penturners.org mobile app

 

[ed4copies]

Contact woodmills in Michigan
https://www.bing.com/search?q=sawmi...g=C1A9C6EE41154&form=CONBDF&conlogo=CT3210127

They may not show figured blanks, but if they cut wood, they see "scrapwood". Rotting wood is not always seen as "saleable".

They have to see it, question is what do they do with it??

 

[Brian G]

Ted, can you clarify, please? In post #5 you stated that the wood doesn't have to be native to MI, just the species. Do you mean that the wood need not have grown in MI, but it can be either RO or WO because it's a species native to MI?

I have some curly, mineral streaked, Minnesota RO in board form that I can cut (rip, cross, or both) into 3/4" blanks for you if you're interested. The board has been stored in my dry basement for several years.

Left side is "as is," right side is wiped with mineral spirits.



Let me know if this works for you.

 

[log2lumber]

I have a bunch. I am in farmington hills and have cut it all on my sawmill

 

[keithbyrd]

ted - check with Armstrongs in Hartland I bet they have a lot of what you are looking for

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

Thanks, Keith - new to me. Might drive over tomorrow.

Chuck & Brian - pls sent.

 

[keithbyrd]

Let me know how it goes - they are a great family to work with!

 

[Marmotjr]

Might also want to give Bell Forest a call, they're Michigan based and seem to be able to source just about anything. Looking at their site now they have a bunch of Red Oak on hand, including turning blanks, and 1 board of White oak. Both at reasonable prices. Bell Forest Products

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

Thad - thanks. I've used Bell before. They're super good people.