I found a source for wood blanks

[Rickski]

and wanted to share it. SamIam and I have been exchanging PM's since he sent be a box of persimmion, heart pine and some beautiful red cedar. One of the reasons for the PM's is to see if I can get more, and whether SamIam would be willing to sell blanks to plug builders. Sam has plenty of red cedar, and persimmion, heart pine and Holly. I'm confident the cedar will work fine but need to play with the other types.

Sam got a flat rate price from the USPS for a box that will hold about 21, 1 1/2" square by 9 inch blanks. For about 75 cents a blank, plus shipping, we have a source. Shipping is about $10. I'm placing an order, and if some of the plug builders in the northeast want to combine an order for a bigger box, then it gives us an excuse to get together and talk about wood blanks.

What do ya think?

Here are some pics.

The blanks Sam sent me:

fresh cut blanks:

Holly Wood:

[colad]

Rick,
I am new at turning and setting up the shop, but I would be willing to go in on an order for a some. I am thinking Cedar. I have a ton of pine to try my hand at to develop some kill but would then like to move to thr red Cedar after and would love t have it on hand. have you been using it for many of your plugs?

[scone]

heart pine and cedar.
(id put up a smiley face or some kind of thumbs up thing but i can't find them)

[Sudsy]

Hate to rain on anyones parade but we get AYC for the same price.
I'd expect to pay a good bit less for red or white cedar

[Rickski]

Sam asked what I thought was a fair price, and my opinion was that 75 cents for a clean and cut to size blank was reasonable. I guess you could do better, but I haven't researched it enough to know. I usually end up cutting my own blanks, and haven't paid for a wood blank in a long time. But with the labor I put into making blanks, sometimes I wonder. I'm glad I don't charge myself labor.... and not everyone has a band saw and know how to cut blanks from a rough piece of wood.

That said, The wood that Sam sent me was both eye and scent candy. If anyone wants some, for trade or whatever deal you can work, PM him. I thought I was performing a service to fellow plug builders and am not looking to get anything out of this other than knowing I'm helping guys enjoy their hobby and catch fish. I've found that I usually give more than I take, and I'm good with that.

[GunnySniper]

Rick, the effort is definately appreciated....................................
You have got to see my barn stock, If I were looking to pick up some blanks, I'd be in.
Sudsy, the company that supplies 95% of all the Alaskan Yellow ceder to the east coast is less than 20 minutes from my house, I bet I could get you an even better price on bulk. All the commercial plug builders in the North east get their supplies for the stuff direct. I was talking to the lead salesman on the job site the other day, he told me that 90% of the rail ballisters go to plug builders. He has inch and a half up to 2 and a half inch square stock, in stock at all times.

[Striperjim]

off topic.

Originally Posted by Scone

heart pine and cedar.
(id put up a smiley face or some kind of thumbs up thing but i can't find them)

Mike - in your usercontrol panel make sure one of the two bottom choices are checked.

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[Sudsy]

Rick,

I didn't mean to sound unappreciative
Looking at my post I can see where it came off that way. That's one of the problems with the written vs spoken work

Gunny
Yup that's probably the place. We have a few plug builders in my club and once a year or so we all chip in and send someone on a wood run. Next time we do it I'll volunteer to make the drive (been meaning to see RI, never been there)

[Rickski]

Originally Posted by Sudsy

Rick,

I didn't mean to sound unappreciative

No offense taken. My testosterone level was high that day