Supplier or small business suggestions...

[Chrisrsnow]

I will be traveling from Dallas TX to Myrtle Beach SC during the first week of April. I am looking to see if anyone knows of any good pen making or exotic/local wood supplies along the I-20 corridor that I could stop by along my way to or from. I am looking for shops specifically tailored to woodworking or turning, similar to Rockler of Woodcraft, but prefer locally owned businesses. I an not opposed to a small detour, if it is worth the trip, but would prefer shops within a half hour of I-20. If you know of any good places (other than local general hardware stores) that would be worth the stop, please let me know. I appreciate any suggestions y'all may have!

 

[Woodchipper]

I suggest that you search for wood supplies in each individual state you will be passing through. Try this for starters: bowl blanks south carolina.

 

[GaryMGg]

Try searching https://www.woodfinder.com/

It can show you sawyers, sawmills and probably other similar products.

 

[mark james]

About 10 years ago I did exactly what you are doing, but from Tampa back to Ohio. I found several random woodturning blank suppliers along the way (Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia) and got some of the nicest materials at very reasonable costs. All small local mom/pop type lumber processors/arborists. Well worth the effort to research what is available. MAKE sure they are still in business and open when you may pass by (DAMHIK).

 

[leehljp]

I live near Memphis and there used to be one locally owned store called Colco or something similar. But they closed about 20 years ago. They had a store in Nashville also, but it closed. I just checked for Nashville as I remembered they had another good exotic wood store a few years ago - including the Gibson Guitar maker and here is what I came up with:

Top sources for exotic woods in Nashville include
Good Wood Nashville (specializing in tropical hardwoods, reclaimed wood, and Lunawood) and Woodcraft of Nashville(offering a wide variety of domestic and exotic species for woodworking). Other options include A to Z Exotic Hardwoods, Mimms Lumber, and specialty suppliers like Gibson Guitar.

Check out Nashville - since it is on I-20.