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Fla._Deadheader · January 17, 2005, 04:35:31 AM

  Being as how I'm leaving for Costa Rica this coming Friday, I am searching for some info.

  I recently received a phone call from a guy in CR, that has a Plantation of Teak, that he says is 70% Veneer Quality. He wants to meet with me and see if we can get a market established.

  I know very little about Teak. I DO understand that this stuff is NOT the Golden colored Yacht quality Teak.

  If it IS Veneer quality, what would be the best way to market it?? I believe a Rotary slicer needs a round cant (Log). I have never seen a Flat Slicer Veneer mill. Does it take cants ?? I believe there will be problems with sending logs into the USA.?

  I will also be looking into "leftover" Hardwood logs, left behind because it's too short (16' or less) or still left in the tops, and not cut free. I believe I can get lots of these Hardwood logs.

  For the Dealers here, What sizes would be the best to cut these logs into ??? Would Table Slabs (over 24" wide) be a good option, or saw 1X and 2X at whatever length and market that ???

  Not trying to sell, yet, just asking for advice on what to do with this timber ???

  Anybody have any helpful advice ???

WH_Conley · January 17, 2005, 04:56:26 AM

Can't give you any advice on the wood.

Just want to wish you the best of luck.

Curlywoods · January 17, 2005, 05:23:17 AM

Harold,

  Teak is a strange beat to me anyway. It is expensive, it is not all that pretty (to me anyway) and it is mainly used for boats and outdoor furniture. The Scandanavian people still use it a great deal for home furnishings, but I rarely get inquires for it, but then again I don't offer it for sale either :-)

  A local specialty dealer in Dallas offers Teak and it is about $16.00 a BF from what I recall. I have no idea what he is buying it for per bf though. Planatation Teak is less valuable than old growth (golden) Teak from South east Asia.

  I would contact a few of the bigger veneer mills around the US before you leave to investigate the true value of this wood.

DanG · January 17, 2005, 05:38:28 AM

Well, Harold, you KNOW I'm wishing you well.

I don't know anything about Costa Rican Teak, but I can't help being skeptical about that "70% veneer" claim. I'm just basing that on my own experiences when people call with some "fantastic" logs for me. :

:

Usually turns out to be just some limbs and tops that they want me to clean up for free.

Assuming that the local market is skimpy, and it must be or somebody would be sawing this stuff, you gotta consider all the expense and aggravation of exporting your product. I can just envision a whole string of people getting involved, each taking their little slice of the pie, leaving little for the guy that did all the work. That would be YOU!

That being said, I'd say it is at least worth looking into. Just don't commit yourself without doing a whole bunch of research to uncover all the hidden expenses and export roadblocks.

ARKANSAWYER · January 17, 2005, 06:35:41 AM

Hey, I am sending you a name and number in a message to you of a Dealer. He has good info and maybe able to help in the import/export type thing.
Teak is heavy and oily. Hard on blades and is not all the same. Some teak is not much good so call this dealer before you leave. Tell him I sent you.
ARKANSAWYER

leweee · January 17, 2005, 06:51:48 AM

Harold.... have a safe trip & best of luck with the Teak ;D

ellmoe · January 17, 2005, 10:21:23 AM

FlaD.,
Good luck on your new adventure. I can't help you with the teak, but in you run into any mahogany I might be able to help you out.
Mark

etat · January 17, 2005, 11:02:37 AM

Good luck and keep in touch. Ya get aholt of any free samples I know somebody that might be innerested. ;D

Also I'd be interested that if ya would to check out what kinda MUD they got there. If they got any 'good' mud I 'might' be interested in a load of it as a suppliment to my new business ;D.

T_in_SC · January 17, 2005, 12:01:33 PM

Can't help with the wood, Harold. But I hope everything works for you down there. Keep us couch potatoes posted.

Fla._Deadheader · January 17, 2005, 12:33:46 PM

I KNOW I'm gonna regret this, but, anybody out there like cafe', REAL cafe' ??? The NON bitter kind ??? ;D

Pete J · January 17, 2005, 02:08:23 PM

Quote I KNOW I'm gonna regret this, but, anybody out there like cafe', REAL cafe' ??? The NON bitter kind ??? ;D

You're really pushing my buttons now!

Enough already, you're going to Costa Rica and we're not. Do ya have'ta rub it in?

p.s. Just scraped another 3" of fresh snow off the driveway. Brrrrrrrrr!

Woodcarver · January 17, 2005, 02:32:32 PM

Brrrrrr is right. High today was +2 F. :( Makes Costa Rica mighty inviting. Have a safe journey, FDH. Keep us posted.

Larry · January 17, 2005, 05:06:54 PM

The Weyerhaeuser super tree, lyptus is grown in Brazil. Any of that stuff in CR or will it grow there?

Best of luck to ya Harold and most importantly....have fun.

Ed_K · January 17, 2005, 06:02:10 PM

So cold here the mill won't start. C.R. sounds warm

.
Harrold, have a safe trip, and a great time getting warmed up. I heard from my son, that Fl. is cold too ;D.

DanG · January 17, 2005, 08:01:06 PM

Ed_K, your son must be in my neighborhood. Should get down to 24 tonite, and 21 tomorrow nite. Now I know that don't sound all that bad to some of ya, but DinG-DanG-it, that is plenty cold for me! >:(

Furby · January 17, 2005, 08:10:19 PM

Well I vote for that FF pig roast thing in CR!
How many of you all can be ready to leave on Friday???

Have a safe trip Harold, and DON'T forget about us, ya hear!!! ;)

Fla._Deadheader · January 18, 2005, 03:23:04 AM

MAN-O-MAN, Shore is a good morning for Halapeno Grits and Aigs. ;D
I got stuff in the Freezer that's warmer'n outside temps.

Perfect day for a brisk Boat ride, to find 1 stinkin log, to finish the order :

:

Come ONNNNN, Friday ;D :D :D :D

Thanks to Y'all what sent info and well wishes, (that looks dumb). :

:

Furby might have a good Idee. They's got Wild Hogs down there, Mean ones. :

;D ;D Got Lizards and all SORTS of good eatin. ;) :D :D :D :D

sandmar · January 18, 2005, 10:53:31 AM

Good luck and God's speed my friend! Can't wait to hear FDH stories from CR.

Sandmar

sprucebunny · January 18, 2005, 03:23:28 PM

Wishing you a great trip, FDH ;D

I've bought a bunch of the dark teak from a couple places in FL but not in 10 years. If you had more time, I'd suggest a Google and a bunch of phone calls.....

crtreedude · January 18, 2005, 05:04:31 PM

Hi Harold,

Looking forward to your visit (no guys, I am not the one with the teak ready to harvest - mine are still small)

Of course, it is a bit cool down here, I swear, it barely made it to 70 today. Actually put on a sweater for a little while. I am sure you all just really feel for my suffering. :D

Any time you want a pig roast, come on down. Harold, having great time, is going to get in on one if he will be around on the 27th - it is my partner's Hector's birthday and a piggy is going to be sacrificed to a good cause. Chicharrones are wonderful.

Harold, you are killing me with the grits - perhaps you could bring a few.... ?

Been busier than a one arm paper hanger with everything going on and been looking forward to your visit. You been practicing your Spanish?

Fred

crtreedude · January 18, 2005, 05:08:18 PM

About sending logs into the US - it seems that there are times that the home land security folk figure logs are a possible WMD and cut them up to look for explosives and drugs. Better to process ahead and then ship. Also, since weight costs - removing the scrap first is a first rate plan.

DanG · January 18, 2005, 06:06:27 PM

crtreedude, I'm afraid you are underestimating our friend, Harold. It has been almost an hour since your last post, and I'm sure that he already has a plan. He don't even need a sawmill. All he's gotta do is gather up a bunch of them hardwood tree tops and ship'em out to the good ol' U S of A. The Homeland Security boys will buck, split and stack all that firewood for him. Not findin' any nasty stuff inside, they'll send it right on down the line, and ol' Harold will be next year's firewood king! ;D ;D :D :D :D

Tom · January 18, 2005, 07:36:38 PM

DanG,

I 'spec he won't even ship the tops home. He'll probably tie them into a great big raft and get a Government Grant for million or so to test the ocean currents from CR to Fl. I can see him and Ed now with their brazilian pepper hats a fishing pole and a tall glass of Mango sodiwater, sitting on those logs and trying to keep the US Coast Guard from picking them up and bringing them home.

DanG · January 18, 2005, 08:16:51 PM

Now there's a thought! They could shove the raft out into the gulfstream and float it up here, then the Coast Guard would foot the bill to get'em back to CR to get the next load.

This is lookin' good, Harold. Free labor and transport, compliments of Mother Nature and Uncle Sam. You sure do have some generous relatives. ;D ;) :D :D

Tom · January 18, 2005, 08:33:53 PM

"Please Mr. Captain, don't put us on that cutter and take us back to Florida and leave our "home" here in the ocean".

"Sir, We are here to protect you, as a citizen of the good old USA and it would be a dereliction of duty if we didn't put you aboard, offer you hot baths, feed you steaks and take you back to Florida"".

"But, Mr. Captain Sir. What about our raft .......our home away from home ......our only belongings?"

"Well, Citizen Harold and Citizen Ed, I guess we could attach a hawser and tow it back with us?

"OH really? Do you think you could do that? What a great idea? You are a great Captain and I'll make sure that you get credit for your generosity. You also might find a lot of money floating around if you're at these coordinates again on the 30th of every month." ;D