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harold
31st December 2006, 01:30 PM
let me ask someone what types of wood do u have in australia here at home we have tons of mequite

rsser
31st December 2006, 01:56 PM
Do a search Harold; there's a bunch of posts on this forum and on the timber forum.

echnidna
31st December 2006, 02:55 PM
we got heaps of Monterey Pine

tashammer
31st December 2006, 02:55 PM
Tasmanian Oak - Eucalyptus delegatensis, E. obliqua& E. regnans,
Blackwood - Acacia melanoxylon,
Myrtle - Nothofagus cunninghamii, nothofagus gunii
Sassafras - Atherosperma moschatum. The black-heart sassy is really beautiful.
Silver Wattle - Acacia dealbata,
Huon Pine - Lagarostrobos franklinii (formerly Dacrydium franklinii), very slow growing, we
are talking about 4000 years slow here. Yes, that's right, 4,000 and more. Endangered. Trees
mature at 1000 years. They have very special habitat requirements. No-one seems to want to
invest in a huon pine plantation as the returns would take a little while to appear.
Tasmanian Bluegum - Eucalyptus globulus subsp.globulus,
Celery Top Pine - Phyllocladus asplenifolius.
Leatherwood - Eucryphia lucida
King Billy Pine - Athrotaxis selaginoides


http://www.tasmanian-timber.com.au/timber.htm
http://www.tastimber.tas.gov.au/species.aspx
http://www.tasmanianspecialtimbers.com.au/
http://www.tasmaniantimberframes.com.au/home.html
http://www.huonpiner.com/
http://www.colonialwoodturning.com.au/woodsamples.html
http://www.discover-tasmania.com/timber-festival/
http://www.drive-tasmania.com/

OGYT
31st December 2006, 03:22 PM
Tas: Myrtle - Nothofagus cunninghamii, nothofagus gunii

Hey, Tas, is either of those two Myrtles called Tasmanian Rose Myrtle? That's about the greatest turning wood I've ever turned.
I was in the Woodcraft store in Dallas last week, and the Australian wood was Super expensive... but I can dream, can't I....

ptc
31st December 2006, 05:01 PM
Al .
you can get it shipped direct to you.
from Tasmania.

ozwinner
31st December 2006, 05:07 PM
I was in the Woodcraft store in Dallas last week, and the Australian wood was Super expensive... but I can dream, can't I....


So what do you call Super expensive?

Al :o

SawDustSniffer
1st January 2007, 12:21 PM
there are several good supplyers from tas , i used www.aussieburls.com (http://www.aussieburls.com) for my myrtle (figgered and burl ),he has timber from all over ozz and exports to the USA ,on his web page he say's he shipped a heap of "musk burl "to "Burl Source " in salt lake city http://www.aussieburls.com/new.htm

he do's good deals on 1 cubic meter boxes(4foot x 4foot x 2&1/2 foot high ) ,you might find 5 mates to pich in -US$500? each and import it your self ( same price as your supplers )

tashammer
1st January 2007, 02:00 PM
OGYT - yes, we have had that query before. Apparently rose is used as a descriptor overseas. Not sure of the mainland.

There are many so-called "minor" species of wood in Tassy in addition to the ones i listed. One presumes they are called minor because there aren't enough to exploit.

A big problem, and this is no matter on which side of the wood chipping debate you might be, is that plantation forestry is bad news for multiple species. It is rather like monoculture agriculture where everything other than the economic crop is considered a weed and undesirable. This means that we lose out. The small turner and woodie gets squeezed out and that makes a craft licence hardly worthwhile.

The practice of clearfelling and burning means that hundreds of tons of good timber is destroyed.

In the future you might see all those poor old wood turners at the side of the road with begging caps out asking for a blank or two for an old turner only to be offered dusty bits of homogenized wood dust (mdf).

I know this is off the track but really imagine crunching up real wood to make artificial wood that forever breathes noxious gas. Something is quite wrong there. And the fake wood isn't very good anyway.

When folks live too far from nature they become unnatural and unreal as to their expectations.

Amen.


P.S. Why not have an unoffical Swap program where folks can swap their native timbers with folks in other countries? Maybe a thread called Timber or Wood Swappers?

OGYT
1st January 2007, 02:33 PM
So what do you call Super expensive? Al :o

To me, super expensive is anything over about 10 USD for a chunk of wood that's 3"X6"X6". :C If I remember right, it was about 30bucks for that chunk I saw in Woodcraft. That's a lot of money for a small peanut bowl.
I live on a fixed income (cept for a few craft shows a year), and jus about anything I buy takes a while to pay for. I have to plan it ahead of time. (Especially anything like the new lathe!!:oo: )


Why not have an unoffical Swap program where folks can swap their native timbers with folks in other countries? Maybe a thread called Timber or Wood Swappers?
It would be nice to have the opportunity. I'd have to save up to do woodswaps, but I've done it before.:U


you might find 5 mates to pich in -US$500? each and import it your self
See above.:no: The Myrtle I turned was a gift from a friend. Wanna be my friend? :D


Al . you can get it shipped direct to you. from Tasmania.
Just curious enough to ask... what would it cost to ship a 15cmX15cmX15cm cube of it to the good ole state of Texas?

Touchwood
1st January 2007, 04:48 PM
Here on the 8 acres that we share with the natural inhabitants (kangaroos, possums etc) we have Jarrah (eucalypt), Tuart (eucalypt), banksia, red gum (eucalypt), snoddy gobble, woody pear and peppermint! In Western Australia the list is very extensive due to the huge range of climates from almost rain forrest to desert. Some of the desert timbers are very beautiful due to their slow growing habit.
Jarrah is a hard red timber.
Tuart is a very hard wood, traditionally used in boat building, now restricted to a small area of the south west of WA.
There are many types of bansias, a soft wood, you would probably know the banksia nut as they seem to be exported for craft work.
What we call red gum is also called Marri - called red gum as it secretes a (yes you guessed it)a red gum/sap when damaged.
Snoddy gobble - small native tree, as is wood pear.
Peppermint is a coastal tree, weeping in nature.

JD
:kanga:

ozwinner
1st January 2007, 04:55 PM
Just curious enough to ask... what would it cost to ship a 15cmX15cmX15cm cube of it to the good ole state of Texas?

Check out the postage calculator (http://www1.auspost.com.au/pac/index.asp) from Oz Post


Al :)

rsser
1st January 2007, 05:47 PM
Wood swapping happens in turning clubs already of course, and some has been facilitated by these forums but perhaps more could be done.

Question is 'what would be the business model?' ... virtual and free swap meet? toy library? Dutch auction?

ozwinner
1st January 2007, 05:55 PM
Wood swapping happens in turning clubs already of course, and some has been facilitated by these forums but perhaps more could be done.

Question is 'what would be the business model?' ... virtual and free swap meet? toy library? Dutch auction?


If you get to participate in this swapping thing, the fairest thing would be weight for weight, and the shipper pays postage.

That way, all the swapper is paying for is postage, (and the timber of course somewhere along the line) and will receive a fair package in return.

Al :cool:

SawDustSniffer
1st January 2007, 06:14 PM
the insigator puts a good blank up for bid , and swappers post a pic of there blank(s) / tool , and the insigator chuses witch is the best deal

postage could be a problem , a 300x300x120mm mahogany blank weighs 14kg and cost AU$50 from Darwin to Melbourne , i used that calculator and its AU$120 from Australia to the USA via boat ( 3 months )AU$220 express ( 1 week )
via trucking companys might be better 100kg min cost , $50 to sydney ,just have to drop them off and pick them up from the transport companys

any one want to swap something for Mahogany (blanks up to 500x500x200) or "strange pink figgerd ecalupt" ?

Little Festo
1st January 2007, 09:25 PM
One way to save freight would be to 'rough" and dry - BUT - I suppose you would be restricted shape-wise by the roughed blank. Some of my 6 month old "roughs" have lost about half of their original weight.

A friend from Western Australia gave me some roughed burls with this in mind (save weight) but I haven't used them (yet) as I thought that I would be "plagurising" his shape/forms as there is no latitude to change the shapes of his roughs but would this be a problem if you are just trying out some exotic turning timbers and not selling the work???? Some of my roughs allow quite a bit of latitude.

A friend has just dropped in some bloodwood crotches with wonderfull stipple/feathering - beautifull and quite lartge (400-450mm in diameter) also some really nice black wattle, rich dark brown and plenty of figure with no cracking.

I think it would be great to turn timbers from other countries. In Aus you always READ about people turning elm, cherry, maple, etc in US and English Mags and it sounds quite interesting/exotic. I suppose we do have some great wood to turn in our own backyards though too.

Peter from Pomona

hughie
2nd January 2007, 12:34 PM
let me ask someone what types of wood do u have in australia here at home we have tons of mequite


Harold thats a wide question. Heres a few sites you can look over at your pleasure it will give you some idea of whats available here in Oz

Say Gid-day to Al for me. :wink: :D


http://www.woodart.com.au/awapboard/messages/17/17.html?SundayNovember1420040458am

http://www.ausslab.com/

http://www.bowerbirdtimber.com/slabs.htm

http://www.aussiewoods.info/

http://aussieburls.com

TTIT
2nd January 2007, 11:04 PM
I think it would be great to turn timbers from other countries. In Aus you always READ about people turning elm, cherry, maple, etc in US and English Mags and it sounds quite interesting/exotic. I suppose we do have some great wood to turn in our own backyards though too.

Peter from PomonaI thought the same way for quite a while until I got hold of some books from the DPI covering the flora of Central QLD. :o What an eye opener! :o All these 'exotics' right in my backyard (literally) :U Suddenly lost interest in what I saw in magazines and now just rubberneck everywhere I go checking out the trees. In fact, just tonight while taking the dog for a walk I found a Dead finish, a Prickly pine and a Sandalwood just a few hundred metres up the road! Once used to think about retiring to Innisfail to get better access to timber but now reckon I've got a better deal here!:;:U

PS: Off to get my Stubby tomorrow :U:U:U:U:U:U:U

rsser
3rd January 2007, 06:56 AM
So you're hanging out for a storm :;

Let us know how you go with the Stubby.

SawDustSniffer
3rd January 2007, 12:17 PM
ttit dont forget to pick up those small bits off Blue ,Green and red glass laying around on the ground ,I spent a bit of time at the "willows ? " gem fields

reeves
3rd January 2007, 12:56 PM
man what a loaded question !

http://ajh-knives.com/xylo-australis.html
http://www.aussiewood.us/about_australian_woods.htm
http://woodcentre.com.au/

check this chart

http://shop.woodreview.com.au/details/160510.html

http://shop.woodreview.com.au/include/classes/external/phpThumb/phpThumb.php?src=/images/products/00001217_160510.jpg&w=110

TIMBERS INCLUDED:
- Celery top pine
- Hoop pine
- Crow's ash
- Marri
- Huon pine
- Tas oak
- Tas oak figured
- Tas oak natural feature
- Coachwood
- King billy pine
- Qld maple
- Cypress
- Silky oak
- Eucalyptus burl
- Sassafras, blackheart
- Brushbox
- Spotted gum
- Leatherwood
- Rose gum
- Blackbean
- Blackwood
- Tas myrtle
- Red cedar
- Tas myrtle figured
- Southern blue gum
- Nsw rosewood
- Jarrah
- Karri
- Forest oak, rose sheoak
- Cooktown ironwood
- Flame sheoak, hairy oak
- Forest red gum
- Fiddleback blackwood
- Qld walnut
- Mulga
- Beefwood

soundman
3rd January 2007, 01:26 PM
I've done a couple of swaps with a member in L.A. and the postage is prety hefty.
I sent just under 3KG if i'd have sent it via slow boat sea mail it would have cost neary $40 Aust and " may take up to 3 months:no: so I sent it standard air mail and it cost nearly $60 australian.

So whatever you are swapping better be worth it.

the you have the quaranteen issues... coming into australia it must be.

Clean dry healthy wood......... no rot or signs of desease...... so spalting is out.
Sawn on all faces....... they are expecting to see boards??
contain no bark
have no cracks, holes of signs of insect atack.
have no dirt attached
not be a protected/ endangered timber.
not be one that is known to harbour desease
Not a drug related material

they open everything like this...... if they dont like it....... its incinerated without question or much of a comment.

There are lots of people in the US buying small bits of timber from AUS and they are generaly prepareed to pay well for nice stuff.
Comming back the other way I don't think its as advantageous... we have availability of a very good variety of timber here at good prices and our woodworkers and their customers are not as rich as our US friends.

Fine woodwork is big in the US I understand.... not so much here.

cheers

OGYT
3rd January 2007, 02:29 PM
PS: Off to get my Stubby tomorrow :U:U:U:U:U:U:U
Congrats, Vern, on the Stubby.
Let us have some pics... if you can stop pettin' it long enough... :D :o :2tsup: :D

Clinton1
3rd January 2007, 02:51 PM
Just back from a pricing expedition:

To give you an idea of prices, imported back sawn and wane edge American Black Walnut is $5115 per cubic meter, or US$18 for a piece of 3' long 4" x 1". I'm sure the US Oak and Cherry were in pretty much the same price range.

Red Ironbark, rough sawn (rs) and kiln dried (kd) would be $5300 a cubic meter, Blackwood rs, kd 4x4" would be $5830 a cube. Buying a pallet lot would be cheaper.

A lot of the imported cabinet timbers are actually pretty cheap compared to our 'good stuff', as the timber grows very slowly and is denser (higher kiln and sawing costs). When you consider the price reflects an extra cost of '3 months on a ship and two lots of container handling fees, duties, tax'.... suprisingly cheap.

I think your American and Canadian species grows much quicker due to your higher rainfall, more benign climate. :?

So, like you, I need to plan and save my pocket money before any project... and try to add in a little wheeling and dealing. Bugger!

tashammer
3rd January 2007, 11:23 PM
has anyone tried cherry plum yet?

hughie
4th January 2007, 12:22 AM
Sawn on all faces....... they are expecting to see boards??
contain no bark
have no cracks, holes of signs of insect atack.
have no dirt attached
not be a protected/ endangered timber.
not be one that is known to harbour desease



Dunno musta got a friendly customs guy. I received some Bois D'Arc and Mesquite with bark on. All they did was irradiate it for a small fee.
They did not seem to be to unhappy, just sent me a letter offering to return it to the sender or nuke it, my call.

tashammer
4th January 2007, 11:11 AM
A further list of allergies and worse caused by wood:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=41436

PAH1
4th January 2007, 12:13 PM
I'll put my two cents worth in here, there are approximately 1100 species of acacia alone in Australia, probably a quarter of them are worthwhile timber species for the wood turner. There are about 600 species of Eucalypt, the majority of these can find use. We also have a few species of grevillea, and others- probably around another 100 species that can be used-if you can get a hold of them or think to try them

reeves
5th January 2007, 09:19 AM
I'll put my two cents worth in here, there are approximately 1100 species of acacia alone in Australia, probably a quarter of them are worthwhile timber species for the wood turner. There are about 600 species of Eucalypt, the majority of these can find use. We also have a few species of grevillea, and others- probably around another 100 species that can be used-if you can get a hold of them or think to try them

huh? i think its 1100 species of eucalypt and around 6-800 of acacia, 40 casurinas about the same grevillieas, hepas more..

rsser
5th January 2007, 11:14 AM
I thought a heap of euc's had been reclassified as corymbia and angophora.

soundman
5th January 2007, 02:02 PM
From a previous post... I thaught there were at least 20 spicies that cn be called silky oak:D

cheers

Wizened of Oz
5th January 2007, 08:37 PM
I thought a heap of euc's had been reclassified as corymbia and angophora.

Many botanists refused to accept the hiving off of the bloodwoods to Corymbia genus. A few months back one of our seed suppliers told me Corymbias have now been reclassified as Eucalypts.
Whole lot of other changes too: Acmena smithii now Syzygium smithii, Waterhousia floribunda now Syzygium floribundum (I think that's it's fourth name in the 28 years I've been in the business).
Rough figures (as plant taxonomists keep moving the goal posts): 600+ Eucalypts, 900+ Acacias, 250+ Grevilleas. Not all trees of course and only a proportion would yield any useful saw logs. More though would yield small turning pieces.

sundowner
5th January 2007, 11:03 PM
Here on the 8 acres that we share with the natural inhabitants (kangaroos, possums etc) we have Jarrah (eucalypt), Tuart (eucalypt), banksia, red gum (eucalypt), snoddy gobble, woody pear and peppermint! In Western Australia the list is very extensive due to the huge range of climates from almost rain forrest to desert. Some of the desert timbers are very beautiful due to their slow growing habit.
Jarrah is a hard red timber.
Tuart is a very hard wood, traditionally used in boat building, now restricted to a small area of the south west of WA.
There are many types of bansias, a soft wood, you would probably know the banksia nut as they seem to be exported for craft work.
What we call red gum is also called Marri - called red gum as it secretes a (yes you guessed it)a red gum/sap when damaged.
Snoddy gobble - small native tree, as is wood pear.
Peppermint is a coastal tree, weeping in nature.

JD
:kanga:

Touchwood,hello,Let me in on the secret.When do snoddy goggles ripen.Use to eat as a kid until mjnes cleared out our supply at Capel.Ta Graham

ticklingmedusa
6th January 2007, 01:43 PM
Touchwood,hello,Let me in on the secret.When do snoddy goggles ripen.Use to eat as a kid until mjnes cleared out our supply at Capel.Ta Graham

Can you translate snoddy goggle into seppospeak?
thanks
tm

SawDustSniffer
6th January 2007, 06:19 PM
Touchwood,hello,Let me in on the secret.When do snoddy goggles (FRUIT OFF THE SNODDY GOBBLE TREE) ripen.Use to eat as a kid until mjnes (MINE??/ VINE ?? SITES )cleared out our supply at Capel (A TOWN ).Ta Graham

TTIT
8th January 2007, 10:46 AM
huh? i think its 1100 species of eucalypt and around 6-800 of acacia, 40 casurinas about the same grevillieas, hepas more..


I thought a heap of euc's had been reclassified as corymbia and angophora.No matter how ya' look at it, it's a hell of a lot of different trees!!!! Gotta love this country eh!:U:U:U

PAH1
8th January 2007, 11:46 AM
huh? i think its 1100 species of eucalypt and around 6-800 of acacia, 40 casurinas about the same grevillieas, hepas more..

Sorry Reeves it really is that sort of number. A major intellectual battle has just been fought over the acacia's and the numbers are correct. There are actually 980 endemic species plus a number that are found on surrounding islands. The eucalypts I treat as a group simply because I still think of them as a consistent group, I do not think that the taxonomic battle over the gums has been resolved for any certainty. The numbers are not as large as the acacia group mostly because they are not present as shrubs and therefore not as many species.

TTIT, I agree you just have to love a country where we have such a huge variety of wood to use. My wife family is dutch and the extent of the endemic wood available there is rather limited (beech birch oak holly elm).

Skew ChiDAMN!!
8th January 2007, 04:20 PM
Let's make it easy... we have 3,000 species of Tassie Oak. :rolleyes:

Frank&Earnest
9th January 2007, 02:52 PM
Sorry if it is a bit of a derail. Olive is not endemic, I have read it was imported from Sicily 150 years ago and in some areas has become a weed spreading from long abandoned grooves. Does this make it "exotic"? About 5 years ago at the Woodwork Show in Adelaide I saw a piece approximately 4x4x40cm with a price tag of $18, which I thought was ludicrous. Any thoughts on this? Is there a lot of interest in this timber?

rsser
9th January 2007, 03:40 PM
Olive: interesting data. I've turned some natural edge imported olive and the figure was awesome. And sitting in the wood bank is a small piece from a supplier labelled 'native olive'. I wonder now whether it is.

But yes, there should be interest in it.

Cliff Rogers
9th January 2007, 04:20 PM
... a small piece from a supplier labelled 'native olive'. I wonder now whether it is.....

Check these out for possibilities...
Native Olive Chionanthus ramiflora
Native Olive Linociera ramiflora
Native Olive Notelaea ligustrina
Native Olive Olea paniculata

Clinton1
9th January 2007, 04:42 PM
Olive bole (base of the trunk) is the stuff to get. A marbled appearance, and also used in veneers. :2tsup:

ticklingmedusa
9th January 2007, 05:14 PM
Sorry if it is a bit of a derail. Olive is not endemic, I have read it was imported from Sicily 150 years ago and in some areas has become a weed spreading from long abandoned grooves. Does this make it "exotic"? About 5 years ago at the Woodwork Show in Adelaide I saw a piece approximately 4x4x40cm with a price tag of $18, which I thought was ludicrous. Any thoughts on this? Is there a lot of interest in this timber?

No question its gorgeous wood... prices here these days also run from ludicrous to outrageously impossible. If you can get your hooks on some
it is worth the effort.

I suspect there are so many names given for a number of reasons,
one being that this tree and its myriad of varieties have been cultivated & hybridized for thousands of years.
I still haven't figured out how they manage to grow the stuffed types.


Distribution
Olive is reported to be indigenous to the Mediterranean region including southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. It is reported to grow especially in Italy and is in the same family as Ash (Fraxinus spp). The species is also reported to be cultivated in orchards throughout California, and is also found in Arizona and Florida. It is reported to prefer sub tropical or Mediterranean climates, especially hot, dry regions under irrigation.

Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae

There are at least 3 other olive varieties: African Olivewood (O. capensis), East African Olive (O. hochstetteri) and something called Elgon olive, for which I have seen 5 different botanical names (O. Ferruguinea, Osmanthus welwitschii, Steganthus welwitschii, Linociera welwitschii, Mayepea welwitschii --- so much for the precision and uniqueness of botanical names).

Also called Mediteranean olive, European olive, Spanish olive, etc, depending on the local of origin, this is a very attractive and expensive wood used primarily for ornamental items because the small size of the tree limits production and also because in Italy and Greece, if you threaten the source of olive oil with a chainsaw, several large men will come and hurt you.



I'm still trying to find out a botanic name for snoddy gobbles.
Just curious,
tm

rsser
9th January 2007, 05:32 PM
Thanks Cliff.

Imported olive bowl in pic.

Edit: about 6" high; oil finish

tashammer
9th January 2007, 06:50 PM
and a lovely piece of work it is too.

Tree names. Good thing we have a good taxonomy aint it? (except that it aint when they keep changing the blasted names without notifying the rest of the state, country, world.

Maybe we need a system that is flexible enough to accommodate change - now there would be a work and a half - probably why we stick with what we have, cobbled together but almost doing the job hey?

Frank&Earnest
9th January 2007, 09:24 PM
No question its gorgeous wood... prices here these days also run from ludicrous to outrageously impossible. If you can get your hooks on some
it is worth the effort.

tm

Thanks tm (and others). This vindicates my "madness" of carefully uprooting a few large trees, cutting and storing them for 25 years. Even at friendlier prices I am sitting on quite a few spondulicks, then. I am starting to think that selling and swapping might become an interesting side of my hobby.. I am afraid I have more wood than years to enjoy it!:C

Wizened of Oz
9th January 2007, 11:02 PM
I'm still trying to find out a botanic name for snoddy gobbles.
Just curious,
tm

Snotty Gobble (Persoonia falcata)

ticklingmedusa
10th January 2007, 03:18 PM
Snotty Gobble (Persoonia falcata)

Wizened, thanks for taking the time.
Interesting plant.
tm

rsser
10th January 2007, 05:26 PM
http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Persoonia%20falcata&gwp=16

ticklingmedusa
11th January 2007, 05:16 PM
Thanks Ern, thats the kind of information I was looking for.
I spent some time web searching by common name with almost no
success. The link you posted gave me what I was after.
tm

tashammer
12th January 2007, 05:06 PM
Don't worry about the amount of timber over time left equation. Think about going out with all flags and pennants flying doing stuff you enjoy. Kinda like...Sir?, Yes? You have won Tatts. I have? Urghhh. Thump.
Now isn't that the best time to snuff it?

Penpal
8th April 2009, 08:59 AM
I was given access to 80 yr old trees badly managed. The yield from half a ton full of ants splits and faults, takes a while to dry heaps of figure in it. There must be thousands of dead or dying Olive trees in your own areas, look around I travelled 220 kms for mine. Olive Pruners were a good source but most end up mulched before you get to them.

He who dies with the most timber wins. Just joking.

Regards Peter.:2tsup:

Houston
8th April 2009, 01:55 PM
Tas: Myrtle - Nothofagus cunninghamii, nothofagus gunii

I was in the Woodcraft store in Dallas last week, and the Australian wood was Super expensive... but I can dream, can't I....

I recently priced some Aussie turning blanks in Houston, Texas. For Huon Pine, 7" X 3" was $48US (about 67 AUD), 10" x 3" was $98US (about 136 AUD). A 7" x 2" piece of Sheoak was $44US (about 61 AUD). When you think about what it takes to convert a log to a seasoned blank, transport it to the US, and then let it sit until someone decides to buy it, those prices probably are not out of line. However, when compared to local woods that you can get for free on the side of the road, the store bought stuff looks pretty expensive.

Last week I was in Brisbane and stopped at Lazarides Timber. I picked up 7 bowl blanks of various Aussie woods (mango, Qld maple, red cedar, silky oak, Bauhinia, Ironwood, and a burl I can't identify) for about $65 US (yep - my luggage was a bit heavy!). Overall, I think wood pricing in Brisbane is considerably cheaper than what I'm used to seeing in Houston woodworking stores. Now if we include the price of the plane ticket -- that's another story!

artme
8th April 2009, 02:30 PM
I recently priced some Aussie turning blanks in Houston, Texas. For Huon Pine, 7" X 3" was $48US (about 67 AUD), 10" x 3" was $98US (about 136 AUD). A 7" x 2" piece of Sheoak was $44US (about 61 AUD). When you think about what it takes to convert a log to a seasoned blank, transport it to the US, and then let it sit until someone decides to buy it, those prices probably are not out of line. However, when compared to local woods that you can get for free on the side of the road, the store bought stuff looks pretty expensive.

Last week I was in Brisbane and stopped at Lazarides Timber. I picked up 7 bowl blanks of various Aussie woods (mango, Qld maple, red cedar, silky oak, Bauhinia, Ironwood, and a burl I can't identify) for about $65 US (yep - my luggage was a bit heavy!). Overall, I think wood pricing in Brisbane is considerably cheaper than what I'm used to seeing in Houston woodworking stores. Now if we include the price of the plane ticket -- that's another story!

Should have notified us you silly bugger!!!I'm sure a welcoming committee would have been pleased to meet you.

Allan at Wallan
8th April 2009, 04:40 PM
"Snotty gobble" - if I made a pen out of that for my grandson he
would not know whether to shove it in his mouth or up his nose.:2tsup:

If anyone in Oz has a couple of Snotty Gobble blanks I would be
happy to swap a couple of Osage Orange blanks. I have recently
made a couple of pens out of "Dead Finish" and I am getting
tired of telling people that it is a wood not a polish.

Snotty gobble - I am intrigued. Any interest?

Allan

mick61
8th April 2009, 06:15 PM
G`day I would like some snotty gobble aswell swap for some brown mallee burl.
Mick

artme
8th April 2009, 08:37 PM
Turns a bit like Purple Heart, not the colour but the texture etc. can be very colourful or rather plain.

Houston
9th April 2009, 10:06 AM
Should have notified us you silly bugger!!!I'm sure a welcoming committee would have been pleased to meet you.

I admit it was rude to sneak in and out of your country without saying a word. The problem with these business trips is that they come up with little warning and they actually expect you to work while you are there. My side trip to Lazarides was actually on the way to the airport to catch a plane with a taxi waiting on me outside (kid in a candy store with no time to enjoy it!). I'll try to be more polite next time.

Pat
9th April 2009, 10:27 AM
I admit it was rude to sneak in and out of your country without saying a word. The problem with these business trips is that they come up with little warning and they actually expect you to work while you are there. My side trip to Lazarides was actually on the way to the airport to catch a plane with a taxi waiting on me outside (kid in a candy store with no time to enjoy it!). I'll try to be more polite next time.


Houston, there is always a feigned sickness, take off for Lazarides or get in touch with Weisyboy for some supplies. Although you may have to send it back via sea mail . . .