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General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: OffGrid973 on August 19, 2017, 12:52:59 PM

Title: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: OffGrid973 on August 19, 2017, 12:52:59 PM
Hi guys,

Ran out of white oak logs and thinking of finishing an order with black Locust. Is it worth it for $30 a post compared to how it will eat up my blades?
Title: Re: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on August 19, 2017, 06:34:46 PM
How many more Locust do you need to saw?
If you're trying to fill an order for a customer and need the Locust to finish his order, by all means its worth it.
Title: Re: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: LeeB on August 19, 2017, 06:38:37 PM
Is the customer going to be ok with locust instead?
Title: Re: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: Delawhere Jack on August 19, 2017, 07:08:10 PM
Black locust isn't that bad on bands if it's fresh. If it's been laying around a year or more it can be a nightmare.

A 6x6x7' would be 21 board feet. At $30, that's $1.85/bf. A little low. Trying to price some BL for a client this past spring, the very few published prices I found ran $2.50-3.00/bf.

If it's just a couple pieces it wouldn't break you I suppose.
Title: Re: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: Larry on August 19, 2017, 08:06:26 PM
I would much rather cut black locust either green or dry than white oak.  Black locust also has a pleasant smell....makes me hungry. :D

Black locust also is usually smaller logs than white oak, seems in my case almost always.

Title: Re: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: WV Sawmiller on August 19, 2017, 11:14:06 PM
   If I were the customer I'd be thrilled to have BL instead of WO. I have sawed little but the BL I sawed green was very easy to saw.
Title: Re: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: 4x4American on August 20, 2017, 09:06:25 AM
I agree with jack kinda cheap if you ask me
Title: Re: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: JB Griffin on August 20, 2017, 06:08:09 PM
I see LOTS of high priced lumber and slabs for sale, I bet a lot of it is still for sale.
Title: Re: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: LeeB on August 20, 2017, 08:57:02 PM
Starting sawing ERC this morning but didn't get very far with it before I blew a seal in the blade tensioner. I guess 19 years is pretty good lifespan for a seal. Got new seal kit ordered. Ordered two of them.
Title: Re: Black Locust worth cutting? $30 6" x 6" x 7'
Post by: OffGrid973 on August 21, 2017, 08:00:34 PM
Ok guys, I appreciate the feedback.  This gentleman is part of my New Jersey wood turners association and doing a job for his church so I agree low but fare in this case. Five more fresh cut black Locust will arrive this wed.

Thanks again for the feedback. It is all greatly appreciated as I move into lumber side of things.  FYI my $100 slabs sell much quicker then $250 or "$300" so sometimes it makes sense to gain a good customer.

-chris