12-7-2009

Testimonial posted on: Sawmill Creek Forum. Background: Asked if anyone had any experiences with WoodVendors.com. Nobody indicated any but I threw the dice and placed an order. Here are my comments on the experience. Ran across their website from a Google search looking for rough cut walnut. Communication excellent. Telephone answered promptly and courteously. Email responses received within hours. Ordered 250 bd ft of 4/4 Select & Better, Walnut, KD, Rgh, RW, L 6-8′ at $4.50/bd ft. Placed the order and received a telephone call Monday morning asking if 8′ boards skip planed to 15/16″ would be acceptable. Agreed that was acceptable. Wood on my dock Friday morning. By my rough calculations, the delivery contained about 268 bd ft – definitely not a short count. All of the boards 6″ or wider. Most in the 6-8″ range. One monster 15″ wide. None of the boards shorter than 8′. Most in the 100″-105″ range. Some over 9′. Most of the boards have beautiful grain and good color; a little more sapwood than optimum, but balancing that against the overage on board foot and I’m satisfied. Minor amount of end checking, surface defects per grade or better. Very minor warpage: no obvious cupping, twist, or bow. A few of the boards had mild to moderate crook. Overall impression of the wood quality – Not quite FAS, but at the high end of Select. Don’t have a moisture meter, so I can’t give a definitive reading on moisture content, but handling and inspecting each individual board, I didn’t get an uncomfortable feeling about moisture content. I believe a week or two of acclimation and it’ll be good to go. Bottom Line: Would I do it again? You bet! Disclaimer: I have no business nor personal relationship with the company or with any of the personnel of WoodVendors.com other than as a paying customer.

Tom Veatch  Witchita, KS