Need a bunch of input from you guys,PLEASE

[lance]

 A friend of mine is setting up a new sawmill to go along with his lumber kiln drying operation. Besides the regular stuff lumber mills supply, he will also supply specialty items such as gunstock blanks. The logs will be cut and milled right here in the Virginia mountains, he will also ship orders. He is able to supply big beams and planks in any size! He asked me if there was any interest in the cannon and mortar world, for custom cut and dried lumber. So i told him i would ask you guys, what ya all say......

[Double D]

Yes!

[GGaskill]

Yes, although big is relative and shipping will be a problem.

[KABAR2]

Yes, and I can always pick up seeing I am in southern Virginia,
Will he be 1/4 sawing stock blanks? and will he be sealing the ends?
The better blanks are allowed to dry naturally with the ends sealed/waxed
to limit checking. It takes time but the product is worth it.

Allen <><

[Double D]

Before he gets involved in gunstock blanks  I hope he gets with someone who understands stock layout...Some of the sawmill gun blanks I saw in VA sawmills were little more than expensive firewood because of improper layout.

The ends can be sealed with wax but cheap enamel thickly applied is better. 

I need a couple of pieces of white oak or yellow pine right now  10in x 7 1/2in x 30 inches. Green cut and available March 29th, in northern VA, How much?

[seacoastartillery]

     Definitely, Right now we are getting sound, solid, check-free, kiln-dried, white oak from Chantilly, VA in 3"X3"X36", rough sawed, about 30 pcs. per year.  Next year, when we make the Armstrong 150Pdr. Seacoast Rifle, we will need some white oak in 4"X4"X40", rough sawed.  Will these sizes and conditions be available??   

Thanks for the "heads-up", Lance.

Mike and Tracy

[lance]

 I only have time in the evenings to turn on a computer, sorry about taking so long to get back to all you guys. I'll try and answer everybody's questions by telling what i know to be facts. My friend has a manufacturing business, His kilns are in operation, most of the wood is used in his business. The New sawmill is in the final stage of compleation, and he plans to build a few buildings to store wood in...... when i said he can supply big beams, i meant things like 3 foot x 2 foot x 30 foot, which nobody would probably want anyway, but he can also supply smaller pieces too. He is a honest hard working guy that has no problem with getting the customers what they want. He also gave me the wood for my full size mortar project, i tried to pay him several times. Anyway, his business is 2 miles from where i work,and next week i'll stop by and show him this web site and topic on his computer. I don't plan to be a middleman, and i hope he can work with the Moderators about getting contact info listed.   

[dan610324]

ooooohhh crap , 30x3x2 foot , well that ain't exactly toothpicks .

not even for an swede    

if he got some fancy exotic woods it will be very interesting

[Graybeard]

This thread is beginning to become a bit commercial for a non sponsor of the site. I'm not saying it has to end but his product really can't be hyped here without him being a paid advertiser of the site. There really is a difference between a happy customer of a company posting praise for them than the company or a person close to it pitching it for sales.

If/when this all happens if he wants to move the product via this site he needs to discuss becoming a paid advertiser with me. It does appear there is a potential market here from what has been posted so far but when it gets to actually selling product via the site that does require businesses to become paid advertisers.

[Cat Whisperer]

WOW - I can see the rifle now - made from a stock blank 2'x3' x 30' !!!!!

Thanks, Bill - I think we have potential now and we'll see what turns up in the future.  We all welcome new sponsors (as well as members) as in our experience they've been quality folks with quality products.  We'll play by the rules - that keeps everyone happy.