Need hardwood lumber

[Clark]

I'm looking for some hardwood lumber for woodworking.  I was hoping to find someone locally, preferably someone with a mill that sells smaller quantities to individuals.  And it's tough to find the smaller operators without knowing them!

Anyone know someone around Duluth, MN that could meet my needs?

Clark

[WDH]

There should be some local sources.  What species are you looking for?

[Clark]

Good question WDH.  I'm looking for some oak, both quarter and plain sawn and then some plainer hardwoods.  Aspen, birch or basswood would all work well.  Maybe some ash too, I've got the hankering to build me some snowshoes. 

I looked on the directory here and found just a couple people in MN selling wood.  The MN DNR has a site that lists numerous wood product companies/producers.  The problem with that list is that it includes people who actively saw and sell lumber and those who have a mill that they use when they need it.  With some direction I was hoping to greatly reduce the time I put into this search.

Clark

[Brad_bb]

If you look at the button up top called  "forum extras", in there you can "find a sawyer".  Select Minnesota, cutsom saw yes, and sell lumber yes, and there are two.  One in Grey Eagle MN, and one in Henning MN.  Both are near one another and are SW of you.  See if that is feasible for you and give them a call.

[SwampDonkey]

Clark, you going to build a steamer for your ash snow shoes? ;D

Birch is nice lumber. 

[red oaks lumber]

i'll send you a pm, i'm only down the road maybe 60 miles, we do everything your looking for in the species you need.

[Clark]

I had checked that out Brad but they were a little further away then I was hoping for.  Thanks for the heads up anyway, I sometimes feel that the admins have packed more information into this site than most are able to use!  That is a very good thing for all of us.

SD - I've got to figure that out.  Do you have experience building snowshoes that you'd be willing to share?  Maybe that deserves a new thread?

red oaks - Thanks for PM, I'll contact you soon!

Clark

[SwampDonkey]

Marcel (isawlogs) has made them, he may have used green ash (fresh cut). Don't use kilned or you'll be frustrated I think.

A steam chest isn't hard to build. I've got a thread on my setup in "General Woodworking".

[isawlogs]

Swamp you got a memory the size of my barn here  :D 

Yes I used greeb ash and steam. I have used sawed wood and also split I think its called rived ... get a eight to ten inche white ash log, straight grain( straightbark) no diffects apparent in the bark and split in half , then you split 1 1/2" pie shapes from the halves  from these you can make all the peices you need as far as wood goes. I much prefer the split log...
 
   Must admit to the fact that I have now alluminium snow shoes ( Atlas ) just so much easier to put on with the quick attach bindings they are so much lighter and maintenance free.  ;)

[SwampDonkey]

I have wood snowshoes here, but the webbing is nylon twine and cold resistant plastic under the feet with spikes on the bottom. They work great and the wet snow and spring don't ruin any leather bindings. Had these for 4 or 5 years now. I use a short pair of aluminum ones on shallow crusty snow when toting my sled on the hills. ;D

[northwoods1]

Swamp you got a memory the size of my barn here  :D 

Yes I used greeb ash and steam. I have used sawed wood and also split I think its called rived ... get a eight to ten inche white ash log, straight grain( straightbark) no diffects apparent in the bark and split in half , then you split 1 1/2" pie shapes from the halves  from these you can make all the peices you need as far as wood goes. I much prefer the split log...
 
   Must admit to the fact that I have now alluminium snow shoes ( Atlas ) just so much easier to put on with the quick attach bindings they are so much lighter and maintenance free.  ;)

I pretty much have hung up all my wood shoes too, the aluminum ones are just so much lighter, shorter, better all around. And the way the way the bindings are with the claws on the bottom you can go up - down - or side hill the traction is great.