Shipping white oak from MA to FL question

[Jim_Rogers]

Anybody got any ideas about how to ship two pieces of air dried or nearly green white oak 8/4 x 11 x 7' from MA to FL?

I don't have a clue how to research this?

Jim Rogers

[Den Socling]

The other night I was looking at one of those sites that sells overpriced small quantities of lumber to hobbyist. It mentioned how they shipped and I thought to myself, "I'll have to remember that shipping company". Naturally, I forgot. But I would look at these guys and see how they ship small quantities.

[VictorH]

Hi Jim

Based on Fedex basic shipping info here:  http://images.fedex.com/us/services/pdf/packaging/GrlPkgGuidelines_fxcom.pdf

It should fit both ground and home delivery specs.

Victor

[dgdrls]

The other night I was looking at one of those sites that sells overpriced small quantities of lumber to hobbyist. It mentioned how they shipped and I thought to myself, "I'll have to remember that shipping company". Naturally, I forgot. But I would look at these guys and see how they ship small quantities.

This place?? http://www.uship.com/

DGDrls

[Red Good]

Call and ask at Yellow Freight or Old Dominion .

[Brad_bb]

Are there restrictions on shipping green wood so as not to transfer bugs?  I  thought technically shipping state to state lumber has to be dried/kiln dried? 

[mmartone]

How about Greyhound? I used to ship some car parts with them..

[Piston]

Anybody got any ideas about how to ship two pieces of air dried or nearly green white oak 8/4 x 11 x 7' from MA to FL?

I don't have a clue how to research this?

Jim Rogers

Jim,
Just curious, is this a sort of sentimental piece of wood?  Seems it wood be cheaper/easier to buy or mill it?

What part of Florida?

As you know from my firewood moving thread, I've been in contact with the MA forester regarding moving logs/lumber. It doesn't seem to be an issue but PM or call me if you want the contact info.
-Matt

[red oaks lumber]

we ship wood all across the country, never has anyone asked or no paperwork asking if the wood is green or kiln dried.
any frieght company will take it ,make a small skid to put it on.

[Magicman]

I shipped boards to Oklahoma with UPS.  Just taped them together with shipping tape.

[Jim_Rogers]

Thanks for all your comments, suggestion and advice.
I am still researching this and I will post the solution or method once I have selected one that works.

The customer is making a Windsor chair and has been steam bending kiln dried wood and it has been breaking on him.
So his idea is to try some green or air dried white oak.

I would happily past anyone in FL who has air dried white oak on had his contact info if they want it. And they can make the sale as long at 5% goes to the forum.

Jim Rogers

[Cedarman]

We ship a lot of lumber FEDEX.  We recommend planing the lumber to size or just a little oversize.  This reduces weight.  Cost of planing actually saves enough in shipping to pay for the planing.  We also want to cut the lumber just a few inches longer than is needed. 
Will your customer use the wood at 7' or shorter lengths.  Long lengths incur higher shipping costs.
It is normally cheaper to send 2 boxes at 65#, then one box at 130#.
Unboxed lumber costs an extra $5.00 per package. At least for us it does.
Does FEDEX stop by your place or will you have to take to a FEDEX store.  We never ship UPS as their charges are always a good bit higher, but might pay to check their prices just in case.

[maple flats]

If you set up an acct. FedEx will pick up at your place. For me the cost is $3.00 per pick-up, regardless of the number of packages or shipments. I can ship 5-6 packages, each to a different address for the 1 charge of $3.00. I haven't shipped any long dimensions so don't know that aspect. I find FedEx to be cheaper than UPS for what I ship (syrup). However in lighter weights the USPS flat rates are better. They don't have a 7' long flat rate box.

[scsmith42]

We ship a lot of lumber FEDEX.  We recommend planing the lumber to size or just a little oversize.  This reduces weight.  Cost of planing actually saves enough in shipping to pay for the planing.  We also want to cut the lumber just a few inches longer than is needed. 
Will your customer use the wood at 7' or shorter lengths.  Long lengths incur higher shipping costs.
It is normally cheaper to send 2 boxes at 65#, then one box at 130#.
Unboxed lumber costs an extra $5.00 per package. At least for us it does.
Does FEDEX stop by your place or will you have to take to a FEDEX store.  We never ship UPS as their charges are always a good bit higher, but might pay to check their prices just in case.

Jim, I second Cedarman's recommendation.  I ship lumber out every week via FedEx Ground or LTL.  Orders over 300 lbs or so are cheaper via LTL.  Lengths greater than 8' also must go via LTL.

If you can break your green oak into package less than 8' long, and less than 70 - 80 lbs, you're best option is FedEx Ground.

[mesquite buckeye]

There are cheapo freight sites on the net, kind of like the discount travel websites. Lots of times you can get a deal from a deadheader returning from a delivery. ;D

[Dodgy Loner]

I've shipped 7' cherry 4x4s thru UPS. It was pricey - around $170 - but I think the pricing gets even higher if the package is over 70 lbs. I shipped in 2 packages to keep the weight down.

[Jim_Rogers]

Anybody want this order?

I really don't want to deal with it at all.

Someone someplace closer to him then me must have some air dried white oak to sell.

Jim Rogers

[WDH]

I might do it, but what I have is quartersawn, so it will have to be priced accordingly.  Do you know what the customer wants to do with it?

[WDH]

Jim,

This individual contacted me via my website, probably accessed it from my FF Profile.  I ended up shipping him 6.7 BF of 9/4 air dried white oak for $50.  Just wanted to close the loop.

I owe the Forum $2.50  ;D.

[Jim_Rogers]

Thanks, I never dug out the beams that I was going to re-saw into his stock. They are below some other wood and covered with snow.

Jim Rogers