Stockpiling Lumber

[gjat]

Saw this ad. " have approx. 2000 board feet of hard wood for sale. I sawed this material myself when living in Connecticut. All boards are rough sawn 6' to 9' in length 4"-10" in width & 4/4 thick. 500 bd. ft. of Catalpa (a nice hard wood with the grain of oak and when finished with a clear poly has a golden hugh), 100 bd. ft Red Oak 200 bd. ft.White oak, 300 bd. ft. Poplar, 100 bd. ft. Aromatic Cedar (perfect for a cedar lined chest or closet). I am asking $2.00 per bd. ft."

It seems like this could be a good deal. I'm going to start building an entertainment center, so I could use some white oak, but I'm not familiar with "Catalpa". I've bought very little hardwoods so I'm not sure I know what to look for in bulk wood. Does this seem like a good idea to stockpile some lumber? Or am I just better off paying twice the price from the local lumber yard to just get what I need and not end up buying a pig in a poke?

[ironhat]

I'd sure be tempted to buy the whole batch and resell some of it recoup at least a part of my expenses. Storing it is an entirely different issue. A friend of mine bought a 55' trailer from a trucking company and modified it for drying/ storage. You have to crawl over the stacks to get to things but it's worth it if the price is right.

[poolhound]

I keep my eye on the local ads for wood but I dont have that much storage to stockpile and in the AZ sun leaving it ouside is not the best idea. $2/ft for Oak isnt bad but I can get Poplar for $1.60 at a local supplier.

Still looks like a good deal if he will split for you.