Where Is The Best Place To Buy Stock Blanks

[tgraytn]

I am contemplating trying to build a rifle from scratch now that I have one kit build under my belt and a complete DVD library / books from some of the masters.  Just wondering where is the best place to purchase the best maple stock for the build.  Thanks!!  Tom

[flehto]

"Best" wood sometimes isn't the best way to go for your first build from a blank.  Middle grades of wood  would be a better start. But buy what you will.

I used to buy very expensive quarter sawn sugar maple  blanks from  Freddie Harrison but stopped doing this and went to mid grades of both sugar and red maple blanks from Dunlaps. These blanks were very hard in sugar maple and surprisingly hard in red maple and although not fully curly, there was enough curl to add interest. When buying 3 blanks a 25% discount kicked in and the 3 blanks cost less than one quarter sawn blank from  Harrison......Fred

[WadePatton]

Harrison's, Dunlap, Tiger Hunt, classifieds, etc. Have you not done any sort of searching? 

To me "best" is proper hardness, grain structure, then figure (as needed).  You do not want a lot of figure on your first one or two. I trust the long-time regular suppliers of the longgun-making world to be the "best" because if they don't supply good wood, they don't get repeat business. AND they understand the sort of wood we need for good gun making.

I made my first one from a "very economical" piece of Maple from Mr. Harrison, and while longrifle guys aren't impressed by the figure, NEVER ONCE has a "civilian" looked at in in good light and not oooh'd and ahhh'd over the figure of the wood.  Most folks don't get to see a lot of good wood.  (And non-gun-makers rarely see all the goofups in that gun.)

[David Rase]

Since you live in TN.  Nathan at Harrison Gunstocks is probably your closest dealer.  731 414-9757

I just bought some wood from Thomas Fornicola and was very pleased with his personal service and expediency.  tfornicola@hotmail.com;
David

[WKevinD]

Second on Tom Forincola.
Nice selection, decent prices.

Kevin

[T*O*F]

Tom,
Where are you at in west TN?  I'm in Somerville.  I've got a bunch of blanks.  If you're close enough, you can drive over and look at them.

[tgraytn]

Thanks to all for your replies! MUCH appreciated!!

[tgraytn]

Tom,
Where are you at in west TN?  I'm in Somerville.  I've got a bunch of blanks.  If you're close enough, you can drive over and look at them.

Dave,

Sending you a PM now.

Thanks!!

[little joe]

Try Sweeny here on the board, he has some fine wood.

[SingleMalt]

I've yet to get a bad piece of wood from Tiger Hunt. 

[AMartin]

I'm not sure if this the best place or not to buy a stick of wood from ..

However , I have lots of wood on hand , priced from about $75 to $500 ...
softer maple to very hard ... curly , plain , some seconds ... tell me what you are looking for and I'll try to match you needs ..

thanks ..

Allen Martin
ramrod@dejazzd.com

[David Rase]

I'm not sure if this the best place or not to buy a stick of wood from ..

Even if you decide this is not the best place to buy a stick of wood from, you can't argue that Allen will definitely be the most entertaining. 
David

[smallpatch]

Amen Dave.
He can also teach you how to build a "Proper rifle".