Thread: How do I find figured timber in a Timber yard?

Some figuring is subtle and doesn't manifest itself until the timber is worked, but usually, the figuring can be seen, even with rough-sawn timber, by viewing the boards obliquely. Wetting rough-sawn boards will often highlight less obvious figuring, but the proof is to plane small areas to see exactly what lies within. I always go to timber yards equipped with a small block plane.

G'day Johan,

Timber yards are not the best place to find the sort of timber you are looking for. See if you can find small sawmillers - they often have a feast of stock and really are helpful to someone who has something in mind generally.