Where to find rough milled and ready-to-use hardwood lumber in Eastern Massachusettes
Beginner woodworkers often start with pre-milled hardwoods like maple and oak from Home Depot or Lowe’s, avoiding the need for a jointer or planer. As skills improve, you are likely to go to specialty hardwood suppliers for a wider variety of rough milled lumber, which requires milling for smooth surfaces and specific sizes.
Pricing
Lumber at major retail chains and general lumber yards is typically priced per ready-to-use fully milled boards finished on each side (F4S) in linear feet. Hardwood specialty suppliers usually sell their products as rough milled lumber by the board foot. A board foot measures 1 inch in depth by 12 inches in length and 12 inches in width. The pricing is quoted per board foot. To determine the total cost, after selecting the desired lumber (often referred to as “stock”), one should request the manager to calculate the overall price.
Cost Caparisons
Specialty lumber yards typically provide higher quality products and a vast variety of species at a lower cost compared to major retail chains that usually offer only oak and maple.
During a recent visit to a national retailer, I found 1×12 red oak priced at $12.98 per linear foot. This board, finished on four sides (f4S), is ¾” thick and just under one board foot in volume.
Pricing for comparable rough-milled red oak boards at a nearby hardwood supplier ranges from $3.60 to $6.00 per board foot, depending on thickness.
Things to Consider
There are several items to consider when visiting a hardwood supplier.
- A reputable hardwood supplier is knowledgeable and helpful, and ready to assist individuals who have never purchased a board before.
- Allocate sufficient time for your visit. Hardwood suppliers often offer a wide variety of options. Since customers select their own boards, they will frequently be lifting, sliding, and moving numerous boards. It is important to leave the stacks in an orderly condition.
- Boards typically range from eight feet and longer. Some suppliers require the purchase of entire boards, while others may allow the purchase of partial boards if the remaining length for sale is six or eight feet. Inquire with the yard manager about the availability of “shorts” if shorter lengths are needed, as these might be stored separately from the main stock.
- Plan ahead with the quantity of wood you intend to purchase. Outline your design and prepare a list specifying the lengths, depths, and widths of the required boards. This will aid in determining how to cut the boards to obtain the desired pieces. It is unlikely to find a single perfect board for all pieces; flexibility is necessary. Additionally, it is advisable to buy at least 10% more than anticipated needs to account for imperfections such as knots or cracks.
- After payment, customers are generally responsible for loading their own vehicles and securing the load. Most suppliers provide a red flag for boards extending beyond the vehicle’s rear. Many suppliers offer delivery services for a fee.
- Most suppliers offer milling services to cut lumber according to design plans and cut lists for an additional fee.
Types of Specialty Hardwood Suppliers
Typically, one visits a hardwood supplier to source species beyond the commonly available red oak, poplar, or maple. Hardwood suppliers often provide both wholesale and retail services, allowing customers to select their own boards from a wide array of species, whether requiring a single board or multiple ones.
Builder Supplier
A typical lumberyard catering to the construction industry may offer red oak, poplar, maple, and occasionally cedar. These retailers generally sell F4S boards with limited inventory, the quality and variety of which are similar to those found in large retail chains. Additionally, flooring and molding companies can serve as sources for more commonly available species such as oak.
Slab Specialists
Certain hardwood suppliers prioritize the sale of live-edged slabs, while maintaining a secondary inventory of rough milled lumber.
Hardwood Supplier
Hardwood retailers that are widely recognized typically offer a combination of wholesale and retail sales. They provide various species from local, national, and international sources in a retail environment where customers can purchase small quantities, such as one or two boards, and access milling services.
Craft Stores
Craft stores and woodworking shops offer a limited selection of high-quality boards, but they tend to be the priciest local option.
Lumber Mills
There are multiple mills in the area, including individuals like Peter and myself who mill lumber for general sale.
Mail Order
Numerous online retailers offer hardwood lumber, showcasing a wide array of options. However, the inability to select individual boards and the typically high shipping costs may be a drawback for some customers.
Now the Good Stuff – The Boston/Eastern Massachusetts Hardwood Suppliers
The following list comprises various suppliers of hardwood lumber, featuring retail sales, which are preferred by the community of Needham Furniture Makers, other woodworkers in the area, as well as my personal preferences.
Please let me know in the comments or an email to dan@themakershive.org what you think of these stores and other hardwood sources you recommend.
NOTE: I am not affiliated or compensated by any of the companies or sources mentioned in this article.
Craft Stores
WoodCraft , Walpole and Woburn
Woodcraft in Woburn and Walpole is a preferred destination for many due to its extensive range of high-quality tools and supplies. Woodcraft offers a limited selection of boards from various species, with availability changing frequently. However, the pricing tends to be higher compared to other hardwood suppliers. Nevertheless, Woodcraft provides a convenient option for beginners to purchase boards, plans, and supplies, supported by knowledgeable staff who offer valuable guidance.
https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/walpole
Hardwood Lumber Yards
Reader’s Hardwood Supply in Taunton is a reputable supplier for many professional and amateur woodworkers. It is an excellent place to begin if you have never priced out your own stock, as Jim and the rest of the staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Previously, Jim operated a facility in Stoughton, now owned by Rugby. His current operation resembles his previous one, offering a wide variety of thousands of boards for customers to browse through to find exactly what they need. Reader’s also provides milling and sanding services.
http://readershardwoodsupply.com/
Rugby is noted here because it occupies the former location of Reeder’s. It primarily caters to the construction industry but also sells hardwood. You place an order specifying the species, lengths, and widths you need, and they select the lumber for you. Rugby’s prices are typically higher than other sources.
https://rugbyabp.com/branch-locations/boston-stoughton-ma
Barney & Carey Co.Barney & Carrey, originally in Sharon and now in MA, is an excellent miller with a variety of services. If Reeder’s isn’t available or if you need ready-to-go milled stock, they are a great option. Their selection mainly includes New England species, with a focus on milled lumber and some rough-milled options. While their prices are higher than Reeder’s, the quality is superior and more affordable compared to home improvement stores.
https://www.barneyandcareylumber.com/
Anderson & McQuaid Company, Inc, Cambridge
Anderson & McQuaid offers an extensive selection of hardwood, which is notable given their location in the premium Cambridge rental area. This supplier focuses on molding and custom milling but also provides a wide variety of hardwood options. However, it is worth mentioning that the selection and pricing at Readers or Highland may be somewhat more competitive.
https://www.andersonmcquaid.com/
Highland Hardwoods, Brentwood, NH
Highland Hardwoods is a popular choice for many hobbyists. This is a convenient location for those north of Boston. Highland Hardwoods has a great selection, self-serve and discounted shorts. One challenge for us hobbyists, is that they are not open on weekends or week evenings.
https://www.highlandhardwoods.com/
Longleaf Lumber, Cambridge
Longleaf offers an extensive range of products manufactured from salvaged and reclaimed lumber. Their selection is continuously updated as new raw materials are acquired. The Cambridge showroom has a more limited selection compared to the larger variety available at their mill in Berwick, ME.
https://www.longleaflumber.com/
Plymouth Live Edge, Plymouth
Plymouth Live Edge provides an extensive array of slabs, eliminating the need to visit locations such as Berkshire Forest Products in Greta Barrington. It is a definitive source for professionally dried live edge slabs. Additionally, Plymouth Live Edge offers a significant range of bowl blanks and a limited selection of rough milled boards.
https://www.plymouthliveedge.com
Mills – Larger and Small
There are a few lumber mills in the area offering custom services. These can be a good destination for purchasing large qualities.
Gurneys Saw Mill, Freetown
This is an amazing local historic mill with some of the best prices and wide selection of milled Eastern White Pine and a decent selection of Oak. Well worth a visit to see this working mill in action.
Decking
Decking specialty lumber suppliers often provide Ipe and other species suitable for decks and patios. These are typically milled with rounded edges and offered in long lengths, sold either by the linear foot or per board.
F.D. Sterritt Lumber, Avon and Watertown
Sterritt Lumber in Avon and Watertown offers Ipe, Batu Mahogany, and Garapa decking. They also have a selection of other hardwoods that may be suitable for those looking for dense hardwood options.
https://www.sterrittlumber.com/hardwoods
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist feature many individuals offering small batches of milled lumber and live-edged slabs. These listings can be monitored and investigated, but it is important to carefully check the quality. Additionally, these listings often ask for prices like those of a retail operation, which may not align with the quality and species being offered.
Other Hardwood Sources in Eastern Massachusetts Near Boston
Here are some recommended sources I haven’t visited yet.
- SunnyLine7, East Bridgewater
- Shores Mill & Farms, Carver
- JB Sawmill, Hopkinton
- Sterritt Lumber, Avon & Watertown
Let Me Kown Your Favorite
What do you think of this selection? Where do you get your lumber? Let me know in the comments.
Leave a Reply