Thread: Newbie Sourcing quality hardwoods

Hi all, I am brand new to scrolling, after much research i went out and got myself the Carbotec 18" saw. I thought this would be a good way to start without going for the entry level Bunnings job, but couldn't justify the expense of the Excalibur. What a ripper the Excalibur looks like though Hmmmmmm.
I have been practising cutting shapes with my new saw and am quite happy with it, there seems to be zero vibration even at high speed cutting some heavy hardwoods. The vibration factor was my biggest worry (after reading some posts in this forum) and obviously my local Carbotec dealer would not demo this saw before purchase, but it all seems good. The quality of the saw looks good, and i immediately ordered and fitted the Hegner quick release blade clamps (again after reading this forum).

My aim is to make some nice freestanding animal puzzles for some of the smaller members of my family, so i am after some quality hardwoods. I bought the book "Animal puzzles for the Scrollsaw" by Judy Peterson, and would love to get my hands on some of the more exotic hardwoods to make some of these great puzzles. Could anyone help me sourcing some of these woods. I live on the Northern Beaches in Sydney, my local timber supplier Warringah Timbers seems more suited to the builder and the nicest piece of timber i got from them was a lump of Western Red Cedar. Any ideas form anyone local would be much appreciated.

sneakypete