collecting customer information

I just had an experience at Walgreens that disturbed me. I bought two items for $4.32 that would have cost me $7.52 if I had not signed up for their member program. This included giving them personal information like address and phone number so they can track every purchase I ever make in the future at any Walgreens. I realize that governments and retailers are collecting and storing all sorts of personal information "to serve us better", but really now, do I need anything more than inventory in place when I want an extension cord?

I will pass on the extended rant - I doubt it would change the world - but I want you to know one thing: Lumber Logs will NOT be asking for your social security number, income tax bracket, or if you have any outstanding parking tickets when you buy lumber from us. The only questions we do ask are things like "what are you building?" or "have you tried persimmon for that use?" - you know, things that are relevant to getting what you really want. Plus, we will charge you the same price per board foot whether you buy 3' or 300'.

This isn't just because I think "1984" is one of the scariest books ever written. It's also because loading your mailbox with coupons for extension cords does not strike me as useful to either of us. Plus, if you have met either Joe or Tom, it may not surprise you that neither is the sort to keep track of this kind of detail. Heck, I once had email addresses for hundreds of lumber buyers but effectively lost them in the email hack episode a while back. It's nice when following the Golden Rule is easier.

*****

Timber frame update: no news really. We cut some 6x6 white oak and have it air drying a bit before we work it into the log rack. Perhaps this winter will see some progress, but if it proceeds like this blog, don't hold your breath!

Timber frame log rack

Up to now, Joe has scanned logs for metal primarily on our lot. There might be a preliminary scan at pickup if conditions allow, but the full thorough scan happens in our yard. Since the scanner picks up metal in the parking surface, he piles logs up high and and walks on the piles to scan them. This is not the safest thing he does every day because log piles can and do shift around at times. It is time to improve the method.

We need a platform to rest large logs on that is 5' above the lot surface. The rack cannot have any metal in it, so this is the chance to build something sort of timber framey I have been hankering for. Nothing fancy beyond large pinned mortise and tenons will be needed, but working with 6x6 fresh cut white oak should offer some interesting challenges. The rack will be 16' wide and 8' long. There will be three 16' sections to build and then join together. Joe has the cut list (which I have not seen yet) and just picked up some 16' long 6x6s. I spent today turning some 7" long 7/8" black locust dowels for pinning the joints.

This should be a fun and interesting project and we will follow it right here.

EDIT: This never happens.

Spalted wood

The weather has been very solar kiln friendly, so we are already on our third kiln load. We have pulled out white and red oak (quartersawn and other cuts) and those bins are now bursting with awesome material. Now in the kiln is some 12/4 cherry, 4/4 cherry and spalted birch. I mentioned the spalted birch a while back and it should be ready in a couple weeks. There is slightly less of the most awesome stuff than I remembered, so if this is the kind of stuff that you like I suggest pouncing in June. We will price it coming out of the kiln; the best boards will be at a premium over our normal birch price.

I personally find this kind of material to be rare and prized when found. Spalted wood is not always the easiest wood to work into a successful design, but when it is done right, it says One of a Kind right there for everyone to see. A couple pieces are likely to end up in Tom's Private Stash. We have 4/4 and 8/4.

Speaking of spalted wood, here are a couple of maple root pieces we have for sale:

How to build a lumber rack

Why does it always seem that when you venture into building something you have never built before, it takes two or three or more attempts to get the design just right? We built two large lumber racks in the old building and moved them into the new. Moving them exposed some structural weaknesses on top of the design flaws that we hoped to improve as we built out a couple new sections.

And so Tom and Joe, using only a chainsaw, nail gun, some 16' 3x3s, and some 8' and 10' 1x3s, in 3 hours built the best lumber rack we have, able to store and display some 4-5,000 bf of lumber. The bins are now wider and shallower, so you can see more boards and dig down more easily to that perfect board. Plus, there are now TWO bins at eye level, not just one. This is what we wish we had done from the beginning!

It is sort of a mixed feeling when you realize how stupid you once were by finally doing something smart.

email hack

Just a quick note to let you know that I did NOT suddenly travel to the Philippines and need you to send any money to me. My primary email was hacked and taken over for about 24 hours, but that is all behind me now and I can receive any form of communication you care to send me.

We do not have much in the way of lumber news. The kiln is still working on its first load of white oak (mostly spoken for) and we will get another in it as soon as some sunny warm weather helps us dry the first load. We are still building out the new lumber racks. The big bandsaw continues to disappoint.

antique hand hewn timbers

Probably for one time only, we took in some hand hewn timbers from a barn in Kentucky. The barn owner stated that the barn had been moved to its former location about 150 years ago, so we all agreed the timbers were old. Up to 20' long, with occasional newer wood attached or nails and spikes protruding. There are some really nice pieces for a mantle or interior work, along with some pieces that barely survived a quick culling. We have not priced any of them yet, but they will likely go by the linear foot.

Here are a couple quick photos to give you a hint of what they are like.

EDIT: These are gone. We carry domestic hardwoods from the St. Louis forest exclusively.

another look at the move

Nothing says it like photos:

The racks on the left are mostly full, except for the section where no rack exists yet (above). The back  part of the right side has two rack sections in place with nothing in them yet (below). You can see the center aisle!

This photo shows the air dry section less than full. That has now been fixed.