Full Cycle Woodworks, Inc.

Their approach to the timber business is admirable so decided to place a small 'test' order with them. Ordered several 2/4/24' pieces (several to get a little broader sample) from them. Their service was excellent with fast UPS shipping. Was expecting maybe a little quality problem because of thier Tennessee location. I got much more than I expected! Yellowish brown wood, with large hard spots (not grain, just hard), many dark discolored areas, insect holes, and punky spots. Not even close to the quality I'm accustomed to. Can salvage most of it for practice sticks, so not going to be out much. Guess what I'm saying is stick with the suppliers in the northern states. I usually buy mine from either Northern Minnesota or Northern Wisconsin, but figured I'd give Tennessee a try.

[bcarvings]

Hi,
It's so funny you should say that because that is where is get my wood from. ALL THE TIME! Do you think that the wood is also hard to carve because that is the wood that I carve all the time. That is the only wood I have ever carved. The prices are good though right? Also I found a Sawmill in Wisconsin but it doesn't seem very proffesional however the prices are good. The guy told me one time they shipping a large block to Texas perfect, but when it arrived in Texas it was a huge 8 inch crack in it.

I would certainly no recommend their wood for carving, especially for beginners. Don't know who you were talking with in Wisconsin, but could almost bet the wood from there is better the what you are using now. As for Full Cycles prices, If the wood isn't good, free is not a good price. The Heinike's (somebody help with the spelling and post the phone nr, my notebook isn't handy) in Wisconsin are good as is Itasca Wood Products (google will get you there) in Minnesota. Both have good service, good products, and reasonable prices (not cheap, reasonable).

Found the Heinecke's number: 1-(715)822-8642. They don't have a web site.

Ed, can't agree with you more. I have gotten wood from a number of sources; but, the best is coming from the northern states. One of my 'southern' suppliers even went so far as to tell me that his wood is coming from 'up north.' Also, you have recommended an excellent company, Heinecke Wood Products, of Cumberland, WI. This has been my only supplier for the last 10 years or so. A number of us 'down here' get our wood from Dale at the Silver Dollar City Seminar. We also order by mail and I have not heard a complaint yet. Besides being an excellent supplier of wood, Dale is just a plain nice guy. A pleasure to deal with.

You can find Dale & Marge at carving shows throughout the midwest --- they were just at the show in Belleville, IL.
I don't even ask the price of the wood I'm ordering --- I KNOW I'm getting a good deal.
Like Paul said - Dale is such a nice guy he couldn't steer you wrong or sell you a bad piece of wood. He has some butternut too but I've never tried it. And he makes roughouts from your original.
Hi Ho will be along to give the information about Itasca Wood.

[mdallensr]

Let me add Tuckaway Timber, Route 10, Lyme, NH 03768
Voice: 603-795-4534 Fax: 603-795-4607
E-mail: sales@tuckawaytimber.co

http://www.tuckawaytimber.com/

They are just about as nice and helpful as Dale, and they have true northern grown butternut and basswood. They'll cut custom pieces as well.

[bcarvings]

Hi,
The Tuckaway place is closed until December 16th, how much is their basswood a board foot? Can you give me a samlpe price for any siz basswood you bought at what cost so I know what price range they have. Thanks

I've bought from Itasca several times and have been very satisfied. I bought a bunch of their 1x 'sale price' stuff to play with and had no complaints with it either, they said he would have small knots was the reason it was on sale. Little bitty pin head size knots, hahaha, my tools didn't even know they were there

[mdallensr]

bcarvings, I bought butternut from Tuckaway and don't recall their price. I know they're competive with the best and they have sizes most others don't carry. I bought a piece of butternut 14' wide from them and they cut it to length for me so I only paid for what I needed.