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Thread: Big Sky Timber

  1. #1
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    Default Big Sky Timber

    Does anyone have any insight, knowledge or experience with these folks?

    http://bigskytimber.com/

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  3. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Runge View Post
    Does anyone have any insight, knowledge or experience with these folks?

    http://bigskytimber.com/
    They have some nice wood on offer Runge...MM
    Mapleman

  4. #3
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    I had a long chat with someone in particular known for excellent service in tools/machinery sales who now works for Big Sky. Hopefully he'll reply with less vagueness than that. Everything sounded extremely promising.

  5. #4
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    Can't say I know them, but I like their web site, interesting way to scroll down whilst viewing photographs
    Neil
    ____________________________________________
    Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new

  6. #5
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    I had a great chat with the owner at the furniture expo not long ago, was a very nice guy, knew about these forums, very furniture focused, is already supplying the majority of Aussie made musical instrument lumber, would not expect his timber to be cheap but from what I've seen, I'm definitely going to give him a go

  7. #6
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    A couple of very experienced good friends who worked for me a while ago went off with large promises to work for them for some time. Let's just say they are back working for me now. However, there still is a person, Peter, who really knows his timber still working for them.

    Cheers

  8. #7
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    Hi all.

    I was pointed to this thread by a customer and colleague, with thanks

    My name is Jeremy Fullerton and indeed, as mentioned above, I now work for Big Sky Timber. In years past, I worked for Carba-Tec Head Office - all those old, nice thick catalogues you have tucked away somewhere, from 2002 to 2009 say, were my work. I have also written articles for Australian Wood Review as well as doing some editorial work for them. But my more personal aspect of woodwork would be that I've been building musical instruments for ... six, seven, eigh.. fourteen, fiftee... nearly 20 years now.

    Back to the topic, Big Sky Timber is a relatively new business. It was started only about 18-24 months ago, while I came on board perhaps 7-8 months ago. I primarily work now with Pete McCurley, who has been known for many years independently as a supplier of fine, rare and hard to obtain Australian timbers. Together, we now run the operation with the aim of continuing and expanding the supply of Australia's finest timbers. Many of these species have not been considered 'commercially' viable due to their limited size, recovery or quantity. Being a small custom mill however, allows us to make use of even single trees and maximise their use. We salvage, reclaim and selectively harvest very specific trees and using our collective experience in the field, custom cut them toward the industry they are best suited. We supply many musical instrument makers and large manufacturers of stringed instruments, as well as woodwind and percussion makers, furniture makers, box makers, turners, carvers and all sorts of woodwork artisans.

    But a timber mill such as ours is a slow build business. Demand is still ahead of what we currently have on hand. We did have more staff when a big set contract landed that needed to be filled. Unfortunately, that contract was completed and now we're back to just the two of us, working hard to mill timber, meet current demands and expand on stock to fill the growing need for such material in the market. We hope to build the business and our passion drives us, both being end users ourselves.

    But enough rambling! I hope this answers the OP's question and gives you a better idea of who we are. I'm happy to answer any questions or if you want species info etc, some of that can be found on our current basic website as you may have seen.

    Finally, for anyone searching for some special timber - we will have a stall at the upcoming Melbourne Timber and Working with Wood show! We will have heaps of varied stock there so if you plan to visit, drop by and see us. That will give you a good idea of what we are trying to supply!

    Thanks everyone.

    Jeremy.

  9. #8
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    And to quickly add, I just did a summary of sorts as stock was leaving for the show...

    We will have a range of species available (some very limited) in various forms including :

    Gidgee, Mulga, Doolalia, Weeping Myall, Supplejack, River Red Gum, Queensland Maple, Blackwood, Yarran, Desert Ash, Leopardwood, Elm, Blackheart Sassafras, Myrtle, Huon Pine, Beefwood, Californian Redwood, Silky Oak, Messmate, Belah, Boonaree, and more... Hope to see you there!

    And some photos I snapped for interest - my apologies, a dusty iPhone was the only tool at hand for the job.

    woodshow_01.jpgwoodshow_02.jpgwoodshow_03.jpgwoodshow_04.jpgwoodshow_06.jpg

    Cheers all.

    Jeremy.

  10. #9
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    Thanks for the heads up and the link to the site Rung, and all the very best of luck with the business Jeremy, it looks great.

    PS: I love your web site!!

  11. #10
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    Belgrave, Victoria, Australia
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    I bought a bit of leopardwood and some ringed gidgee from the stand at the Melbourne Wood Show yesterday and i must say the guys at Big Sky were excellent to do business with!
    They also have what are quite possibly the most magnificent blocks and slabs of burly ringed gidgee i've ever seen.

    That said, perhaps you can answer a question i forgot to ask when i was at the stand Jeremy...I was just wondering...how long ago was that leopardwood cut and is there anything extra i should do to try to reduce checking? I've heard it doesnt like to behave while drying...

    Dare i ask, would cutting it into thinner pieces to reduce the drying time cause it to self destruct? Its currently around 4 1/2 inches thick and i'm intending to ultimately use it for resawn veneers.

  12. #11
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    Hi Larks - thanks, glad you like it.

    In time, we hope to have a fully serviceable online shop.


    Hi Fudo.

    Thanks for the positive feedback, much appreciated

    After all the hard work preparing for the show, I managed to work there all day Friday, before falling very ill for the rest of the weekend and missing out!

    Anyway, with respect to your question - it was cut in 2013 and yes re-sawing it is a good idea to assist drying. I could have provided some more guidelines, but I deferred to our timber specialist Pete, as he has more experience with this specific species. Turns out, the basics were just about the same! It is not a particularly troublesome species, comparatively speaking and this is what he suggests:

    Firstly, orient the block so that your re-sawn pieces will be 1/4 sawn for stability - this is quite important for Leopardwood. After you have re-sawn, sticker the pieces with reasonably close stickers, then weight the pack down. The weight needs to be fairly substantial, like bricks, not just a capping board. If the block was crotch or has to be flatsawn, extra care must be taken against checks and cupping. Sufficient weight on a properly stickered stack is the solution to cupping, while allowing it to dry somewhere mild - out of the wind or sun, is the answer to prevent cracking. Don't overly slow the process by burying in sawdust etc as this species will blue-stain in such an environment.

    This really just amounts to appropriate care in drying and could be applied to many species.

    Nevertheless, I hope this helps and good luck - enjoy your timber!

    Jeremy.

  13. #12
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    I spent some time at their stand at the wood show. Very knowledgable, helpful and didn't prejudge their potential customers. Their timber was as good as I've seen and I thought appropriately priced for the rarity and quality offered. I look forward to dealing with them in the future.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  14. #13
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    WHS

  15. #14
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    Not sure how I have missed this thread until now.

    I have known Jeremy from when he worked in Carbatec Brisbane. He is very knowledgeable and is a gentleman.

    It was a pleasant surprise to run into him on the Big Sky Timber stand on Firday.

    I did not actually buy any of their stock at the show but I am pleased to have established contact as I will surely be getting timber from them over time.

    Cheers

    Doug
    I got sick of sitting around doing nothing - so I took up meditation.

  16. #15
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    Unfortunately Big Sky is folding.
    Last edited by Big Shed; 2nd March 2015 at 08:38 PM. Reason: Removed link
    Whatever note you blow youre never more than a semitone away from the correct one....(Miles Davis)

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