Value or walnut 4 x 4's ?

Re: Value or walnut 4 x 4's ?

Me too!  He says they are 20 feet long not 16' but I can't believe any one was sawing twenty footers and that anyone can get them into an attic.  I may buy them from him but I don't want to cheat him or cause him to under sell them but I don't really need them and don't want to over pay.

Must have a window in the gable end

They might be worth a lot, might be worthless. We don't know if they have the log heart in them, or sapwood on two sides, or cracks, or twist, or powder post beetle tunnels in the sapwood. With the heat we are getting here in IL, I wouldn't go in anyones attic right now. Maybe if it's premium walnut and you go in before the sun comes up.

Re: Value or walnut 4 x 4's ?

Our farm had a barn with walnut beams twice that long and our old farm house is sided with walnut. Both were built in the 1870's. I wouldn't be surprised that these 4X4's date back to that era. One thing to look out for is if they contain pith and that's why they were left as 4x4. On the other hand they may make great leg stock for future projects.

What is a real world price?

As an old man I am finding it hard to believe anyone pays some of the prices I see thrown around.  What is a real world price for premium (FAS) air dried walnut?  I understand that there is a lot of defects that might make it nearly worthless.  It could be the piece with the pith in it left from "boxing the heart".  It could be crooked and twisted or knotty or have sap and bark.  Firewood.  I am looking for a real idea of top notch wood and I can go down from there.  I just can't believe anybody pays $7 a board foot.  I looked on the Internet and see that turning blanks sell for that money but that includes a lot of prep and shipping and they are small pieces.

Re: What is a real world price?

Hey Barry,

Sometime its crap shoot.� One of my cousins pushed for me to get a piece of wood from his bothers estate.� He was afraid it was going to the dump. � � It had been stored inside his bedroom closet since the mid 80's. � The piece was 2 1/4 thick , 33" wide at the widest point, and just under 8' long. � Had some sap wood along both outside edges. " � I had to drive from SE Virginia to Annapolis MD to look at it.� � Nobody could decide what it was.� Guesses went from Walnut to Mahogany.� I gave him $300 for it.� Found a guy that could re-saw 26" wide.� Sent a sample off the Forestry Service Lab in Wisconsin and it came back as Mahogany.� I paid about $7.00 bdft., but look at what I got.

Barry, have you looked on https://www.facebook.com/groups/virginiawoodworkersbuysell/.� They have Walnut on there from $2.75 Bdft. green to $10.75 Bdft. furniture grade, kiln dried.� You might call some of these suppliers and get a feel of price.� They all are located here in Virginia.

Mike in Zuni VA

Thanks Mike, if there is anything I don't need...

It's more wood, but I am a wood hoarder and I have a problem.  And I am trying to be sure he does not get taken advantage of.  If I buy them I want to give him a fair price or see to it he gets a fair price.

Re: Thanks Mike, if there is anything I don't need...

Barry,

I meant the site to be used to get an idea of current prices.� These guys are good at showing their prices.� I did not mean to feed your addiction.� You just might be able to sell some of those huge 4" red oak slabs that you have on there; unless ...� ha ha!

Mike in Zuni Va � � � � � � �

Re: Thanks Mike, I applied for membership....

I will go and poke around.  And good idea, I would like to sell some of those slabs.   I won't live long enough to use them.

I must have lost my mind....

Checked with a local lumber yard that has S2S walnut kiln dried in 3/4" and 1 3/4" thickness.  Over $16 bf.  I can't imagine.  I am completely out of touch.