Is it just me, or have lumber prices gone stupid?

guitarstitch · April 14, 2020, 08:57:14 AM

I haven't bought much lumber over the years. However, after seeing Jim's shop and recently acquiring some key shop tools myself, I decided to take a swing at making a few medium boxes. (I'm slowly converting to an all-medium operation)

$13 FOR AN 8' 1X8?!? Has it always been that crazy? No, this wasn't some superfine highly finished plank. This was a common board basic 1x8.

Now, I still saved money over buying new (5 boxes from 4 planks), and I gained a lot of confidence and experience with the table saw, compound miter saw, 90 degree clamp, and dado set. However, I don't remember wood being so nuts!

Kwalt · April 14, 2020, 12:53:41 PM

It?s the way it is here also. I can buy the boxes ready to assemble cheaper than I can buy the lumber to cut them myself. Tops and bottoms I can cut myself.

I?m guessing you?d need to order in quantity to get a price cut on the lumber.

I still enjoy doing it all myself at times.

Building like hives like Father Michael?s and others who build hives that are more than just a home for bees is also something you can?t buy pre-made.

Kevin

Ben Framed · April 17, 2020, 12:11:35 AM

> $13 FOR AN 8' 1X8?!? Has it always been that crazy? No, this wasn't some superfine highly finished plank. This was a common board basic 1x8.

Sounds like Lowes or Home Depot prices to me. Try a lumber yard. I just paid $12.69 for 1x10 x14s at a nearby lumber yard and they load for you. Wood is of excellent quality. Straight and no bows.

Phillip Hall

guitarstitch · April 17, 2020, 11:57:10 AM

Quote from: Ben Framed on April 17, 2020, 12:11:35 AM
> $13 FOR AN 8' 1X8?!? Has it always been that crazy? No, this wasn't some superfine highly finished plank. This was a common board basic 1x8.

Sounds like Lowes or Home Depot prices to me. Try a lumber yard. I just paid $12.69 for 1x10 x14s at a nearby lumber yard and they load for you. Wood is of excellent quality. Straight and no bows.

Phillip Hall

Good call. Home Depot.

JurassicApiary · April 18, 2020, 02:07:21 PM

Priced some lumber here in Honolulu at Lowes a few weeks back. Our prices are always higher than stores in the contiguous states due to the extra shipping incurred in barging everything over:

1x8x8 - $16.67

1x10x8 - $18.13

1x12x8 - $24.48
1x12x12 - $30.52

guitarstitch · April 20, 2020, 01:15:32 PM

Quote from: JurassicApiary on April 18, 2020, 02:07:21 PM
Priced some lumber here in Honolulu at Lowes a few weeks back. Our prices are always higher than stores in the contiguous states due to the extra shipping incurred in barging everything over:

1x8x8 - $16.67

1x10x8 - $18.13

1x12x8 - $24.48
1x12x12 - $30.52

Now THAT is insane.

jimineycricket · April 20, 2020, 09:19:11 PM

About 5 days ago, at my local lumber yard, I bought five 8 ft 1x8s for $10.60 each. Lot nicer lumber than I can get at Home Depot. No cup and no twist.

JurassicApiary · April 21, 2020, 02:13:40 PM

Quote from: jimineycricket on April 20, 2020, 09:19:11 PM
About 5 days ago, at my local lumber yard, I bought five 8 ft 1x8s for $10.60 each. Lot nicer lumber than I can get at Home Depot. No cup and no twist.

Such a tease.

guitarstitch · April 21, 2020, 03:30:56 PM

Quote from: jimineycricket on April 20, 2020, 09:19:11 PM
About 5 days ago, at my local lumber yard, I bought five 8 ft 1x8s for $10.60 each. Lot nicer lumber than I can get at Home Depot. No cup and no twist.

Without the twists, how else are you going to build those art-deco hives for hipster bees? lol