Looking for some help

[Zulu]

I'm not sure if anyone can help me here in Houston but here is my problem. I'll listen to any suggestion.
As some of you know, I make cannons. I also make the accessories that go with them. These include ramrods, sponge rods, worms (used to worm trash out of a barrel), tampions (Guess where that word came from used to plug the end of the barrel and protect it from weather), and trail spikes (used to lever the cannon carriage around).
Here are some pictures so you will know what I'm talking about.

 
 

The rods are 1 1/2" oak dowels that I can buy locally. The ram heads and sponge heads I turn out of 3" diameter oak material. The trail spike is 55" long and must be turned from at least 3 1/4" material. This must be solid. Not laminated. I can laminate the tampion so its not the issue I have with the other stuff. I have a very hard time finding 3" X 3" or 3 1/4" X 3 1/4" material. I went to the local wood yard recently that has EVERYTHING and they did have 3 1/2" X 3 1/2" X 10' long red oak. It was a nice board that would solve my problem. They wanted $40 a linear foot for it. That's $400 for that one board. Well, that won't work. I have made a few heads from fire wood but that is hit and miss. Any suggestions? The finished heads are 4" and 7" long, so I don't need long pieces to start with except on the trail spike. The wood needs to be dry. Thanks, Zulu

[Carl l.]

Zulu. I think I would try e-bay. Carl L.

[blind ear]

IF you have access to any old buildings being torn down you might buy a sill or beam to saw as you need it.  A chain saw will do the saw out.  ear

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Back in the day, in another life, I drove hot shot in the oilfield.  I used to get some oak 4x4s to carry drill pipe, etc.. on.  They were 8' long.  With the current oil boom going on, you might try looking at some of the pipe yards around Houston to see if you can pick up a few or at least find out where they are getting them from.


Alan

[Zulu]

Back in the day, in another life, I drove hot shot in the oilfield.  I used to get some oak 4x4s to carry drill pipe, etc.. on.  They were 8' long.  With the current oil boom going on, you might try looking at some of the pipe yards around Houston to see if you can pick up a few or at least find out where they are getting them from.


Alan

I like this idea the most.  If I could find some they would probably be free.
Zulu

[bilmac]

I saw other posts about river birch being clear down south. We have it here in Wyo too. It usually grows along waterways is multi stemed not too big but will make 4 inch trunks. Usually considered a weed. I had someone turn a table leg from it and it is every bit as nice as regular birch.

[grdad45]

Call Phillips Forest Products in Dekalb, TX, they cut a lot of oak. 903 667 4151
There you are dealing directly with the manufacturer.

[Lon371]

 If you have any freight companies(trucking) in the area. I see lots of 3x3 and 4x4 pieces 3' go in the dumpster. Majority of these are oak. Also they get big pallets that have various things braced on them. When they get to local shipping companies, they are removed from the pallet to load in smaller trucks.
 
By the way nice work.
 
Lonny

[DalesCarpentry]

I used to go to a saw mill and buy their drops for fire wood in the wood burner. Most of it was 4x6's that were a foot or less and all were oak. I could fill my pickup truck bed up for only $25.00. Do you have a saw mill near you? Dale

[Zulu]

I used to go to a saw mill and buy their drops for fire wood in the wood burner. Most of it was 4x6's that were a foot or less and all were oak. I could fill my pickup truck bed up for only $25.00. Do you have a saw mill near you? Dale

Dale,
I live just outside Houston.  Not many sawmills around here.  Good idea though.
Zulu

[DalesCarpentry]

I just moved to Willis TX. I am living on Lake Conroe. Where abouts are you? Dale

[Zulu]

I just moved to Willis TX. I am living on Lake Conroe. Where abouts are you? Dale

Dale,
I live in Cypress.  I fish in Lake Conroe all the time.  Sure wish it would fill up again.
Zulu