Thread: GIS build in Northern California...

I'm on the wrong coast to offer advice about lumber sources but, welcome aboard!

Thanx!

Howdy Stumpy!

You can substitute with anything light that glues well .. and is at the right price. I know in some states that spruce can be quite cheap... it would be more than acceptable though the WRC will be lighter if you can get it.

Best wishes (and welcome)

MIK

Stumpy-

I used Channel Lumber in Richmond, CA. They have plenty of WRC and are very easy to work with.

-Jamie

Originally Posted by jboats

Stumpy-

I used Channel Lumber in Richmond, CA. They have plenty of WRC and are very easy to work with.

-Jamie

Yeah, channel's about 4 hours away...but looking more appealing all the time.

Good networking guys!

MIK

Stumpy,

Welcome! (Although I suppose a welcome from an MIA may be questionable...)

Hopefully, you have found a source for your materials. I can't find my notes right now, but tomorrow I can track down the yard here in Sacramento where I found the WRC. (It is on Auburn Blvd between Winding Way and Madison... I just can't put a name to it tonight!)

Whereabouts in Northern California are you?

Bob

HI Joshua,

Berry Lumber in Sacramento carries WRC (but interestingly they don't list it on their website)

http://www.berrylumber.com/index.html

Hope this helps.

Bob

Stumpy,

Welcome to the ranks of GIS builders. I built the first one in N. America, and am listed by Mik as a recommended Professional Builder. I do check in here occasionally, and am happy to answer questions. You can send me a Private Message, also, if needed.

Since wrc is such a common wood on the West Coast - I'd be surprised if you couldn't find it in a variety of dimensions at your nearest lumberyard. Any supplier that sells to home builders will likely carry wrc.

Here's a shot of ours - "Sisu"




David G
Harbor Woodworks

Apparently Joshua was on to something when scrambling to find WRC in northern California.

Last November I got quotes from two different lumberyards here in Sacramento. Circumstances being what they were, I was only "collecting information" at the time. Yesterday and today I was disappointed to learn one yard no longer carries WRC in anything but siding, and the other one carries only carries construction grade (with knots - looked like a lot of knots to me) that costs an arm and a leg. $2.82/foot for 2x6, $3.90/foot for 2x8. Clear can be ordered and runs about $6 and $8 per foot for the two sizes.

I was too stunned to think to ask about Douglas fir, but I'll do that tomorrow.

I could make the 3 1/2 hour drive to the Bay Area to get the WRC at Channel Lumber (Jaime's source) but that would only drive the cost higher.

...and here I am ready to buy some materials and start making sawdust!

Bob

Howdy,

See the note above that spruce is fine as a replacement for either the Fir or the Cedar - assuming it is available at the right price.

We never see it in OZ but not that uncommon in the USA.

Also the building notes talk about the type of timber in a broader way ... low/medium density, straight grain and glues well. This brings a lot of pines in as a possibility.

MIK

On the West Coast, USA... you're probably gonna have better luck finding douglas fir than spruce. Just make sure it's actually douglas fir - NOT Hem-Fir. Surprises me a bit about the western red cedar.

I feel better...


I called Berry Lumber (one of my earlier disappointments for WRC) for info re DF, the guy who answered the phone, Dick, started asking questions - and I realized he was NOT the guy I talked to on Tuesday. He he told me they have some "decent" 5/4 WRC and a lot of primed 2x stock in widths to 12" and lengths between 8' and 22'. He invited me to bring the BOM so he could look it over, show me what they have, and so they could help me find what I need. So, today I went back to Berry Lumber.


Dick knows what he is doing. He showed me stacks (and stacks!) of 5/4 vertical grain WRC in 6" for $2.82 a foot, and 12" for $5.64 a foot. "Decent" is such an understatement! This wood is so pretty it'll be a shame to mill it to the sizes I need for the boat! He also suggested Ipe (1 x 6, at $4,20 a foot) for the hardwood staves for the foils. (The Ipe is sold for decks).


After looking at the BOM, Dick said they have everything on the list except the okoume plywood. I have a source for that.


At any rate, the earth is back on its axis, the universe is back in balance, and all is right in this little corner of northern California for the time being.


Sorry to hi-jack the thread... I'll begin a separate thread when I start cutting wood!


Bob