Price for sassafras and cherry

[Qweaver]

There is 1500 BF of a mix of 4/4 sassafras and cherry, random widths,  that has been stored in a barn for over 5 years.  The guy says he has $1000 in it and that's what he wants for it.  I'll use it for paneling and cabinets in the cabin.  Is it worth that price?   Of course I can saw my own but I can't get it dry very quickly.
I don't know exactly how much of each wood makes up the 1500 bf and I have to drive over an hour to find out...so if the price is too high it's not worth the trip to find out.
Quinton

[Radar67]

Can you get it anywhere else for $1.50 per BDFT? Already dry? Is it worth it to you? That's the ultimate question you have to answer. I would want to make sure it was usable though, ie not all warped and bowed and cuped.

Stew

[Brad_S.]

Actually, it's about 66¢ a bdft and I'd say it was worth it. You've got to figure it's log run but that still is a great price no matter what the mix. You could probably sell the low grade for horse stall material if need be at 60-80¢ so even if there is a fair amount of waste, you would get your money's worth IMO.

[metalspinner]

Still, not knowing how the lumber was treated from start to finish could be a problem.  How thick did he cut it? Will it be usable if it's to thin?

I was led to a bargain like this once and made a long trip to check it out only to be disappointed in the condition of the wood.  Aside from no weight being on the pile, chickens were allowed free rome all over it for years.  The stickers in the stack were on three foot "centers"...and were not even close to being straight or lined up row to row.  That is not how I treat my lumber so I passed on the "deal".   :(

But you never know until you check it out.  Maybe he can send you some pics of the stack and a couple of representative boards - not just the good ones!

[Radar67]

I stand corrected Brad.  Got in too big a hurry on my figuring.

Stew

[Brad_S.]

Been there, done that.:D  Believe me, Stew, I am the last one who should be correcting math errors.: If it weren't for calculators, I'd be sunk.:-[

[Radar67]

The bad part is....I used a calculator...just transposed the numbers.  :D

Stew

[Frickman]

If the lumber has been properly cared for it sounds like a good deal. I sell log run sassafras off the mill for $.75 / bf., cherry for alot more.

[Qweaver]

Thanks for the info Y'all.  I'm really short on time but I guess I'll drag the trailer down there and look at it.
Quinton

[Ron Wenrich]

Marketing bulletins that I have seen use red oak prices as a guide for sassafras.  Even log run sassafras is pretty good quality. 

[Larry]

Since I do some custom planing I see a lot of wood that came out of Grandpa's barn.  Most is covered with coon scat, mouse and bird droppings, dust and dirt so thick I have to scrap it off before going through the planer.  All of it has some infestation of PP beetles.  Lot of it is thick and thin.  Lumber made as fast as possible with no thought given to grade sawing.  Oak is by far the worst with a lot of boards only good for pallets.  And than I get asked why my planing charge is so high. 

I'm sure there are bargains out there...just haven't seen one yet.  Quinton, hope you find a stash of the good stuff.