Tip #39
Drying Your Own Lumber (continued)
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Buying From A Sawmill

The other way to get hardwood economically is to go directly to the sawmill. In many states, if you write to the Department of Natural Resources, they will send you a book with all the registered sawmills in the state, listed by county. This book will also tell you the number of board feet that each sawmill cuts per year (which will give you a good idea of the size of the operation), and the services available: planing, resawing, kiln-drying, and so on.

If you live in a rural wooded area, as I do, there will probably be three small unlisted sawmills for every large one listed. Look around. Check the phone book. Some times these mills will be sawing mostly railroad ties and have stacks of 4/4 board left over. They may sell these cheap to get rid of them. Also, many railroad tie and pallet sawmills will know enough to set aside cabinet-grade walnut and cherry logs, but won’t have the established market to sell the lumber at top prices. You may be able to get some real bargains.

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