[Action Jackson]

In search of a rough sawn hardwood supplier in the greater Toledo area, as well as a reliable plywood source. Just moved to Ohio from the mid Atlantic and setting up a new shop, looking to establish some local contacts, and pull together materials for the usual shop setup projects (Outfeed and assembly table, mitre station, storage cabinets, etc...) so Birch Ply, MDF, Hard Maple, some Poplar and the like are first on my list. Let me know if anyone has recommendations for this part of the world.

 

[builtinbkyn]

In search of a rough sawn hardwood supplier in the greater Toledo area, as well as a reliable plywood source. Just moved to Ohio from the mid Atlantic and setting up a new shop, looking to establish some local contacts, and pull together materials for the usual shop setup projects (Outfeed and assembly table, mitre station, storage cabinets, etc...) so Birch Ply, MDF, Hard Maple, some Poplar and the like are first on my list. Let me know if anyone has recommendations for this part of the world.

The only place I'm familiar with in Ohio is in Canfield which is about 2.5hrs from you. Baird Brothers. I'm in Pittsburgh which is about 1.5hrs from them. They delivered my order for $75. I figured between gas and tolls, I'd have spent that much anyway. You may want to check out Michigan and Indiana for lumber mills, as well.

 

[stevesawdust]

Kencraft for hardwood and Toledo Plywood for sheet goods are on North Westwood just south of Dorr. North Westwood is named Douglas north of Dorr. I drive down from Michigan to get materials for both of them.

 

[Action Jackson]

Kencraft for hardwood and Toledo Plywood for sheet goods are on North Westwood just south of Dorr. North Westwood is named Douglas north of Dorr. I drive down from Michigan to get materials for both of them.

Thanks Steve, appreciate the recommendations!

 

[CaptainKlutz]

Welcome to Lumberjocks.

Toledo metro is industrial area with very few trees. Kencraft is decent, but can find better deals on rough sawn lumber direct from source within a 1-2 hour drive.

If new to NW Ohio area, should know about these "local" sources:

- Frank Miller in Union City IN.
Best figured wood destination in US. Will leave every visit with drool dripping down chin. Get on mailing list. Used to have invitation only annual warehouse clean out sale, where figured wood could be had for common grade prices. Bring lots of money, and a large trailer for any visit.

- Yoder Lumber in Millersburg OH
Another good regional resource. Full size lumber business, but has slabs, figured wood, allows you pick, and can find small 100-200bdft units of shorts cheap. Close to Hartville tool mega complex, and it is enjoyable day trip from Toledo with family.

- CR Muterspaw near Xenia, OH.
Another full service lumberyard, that occasionally has low prices on less desirable shorts, or common grades. Must visit if you get in area. If you need 150-200+ bd feet, call and get commercial unit price list. Unit grading is honest, often conservative with #2 common looking like #1 at other lumberyards, so buying stacks is a safe gamble.

Last but not least:
Grew up and lived in Ohio/Indiana several decades past. Up until a few years ago, would visit family and haul a load of lumber to AZ; thanks to numerous cheap sources developed while I lived in area. Hundreds of small sawmills have come and gone in that region. Can often find Craigslist posts of lumber stock piles in barn lofts as a result The necessity of milling building lumber from cleared land in the 1900's has been replaced by portable sawyers helping with forestry management, selling lumber as a side hustle. Meaning Northern OH/IN is clock full of sawyers and sawmills that can be hard to find. Ms. Google can lead the way. Can also use the Wood Mizer find a sawyer site to locate them. Can also find sawyers not listed by Wood Mizer on Woodfinder site.

Also suggest you consider joining the various Ohio/Indiana/Michigan Woodworking clubs despite the distance. Most have private listings of sawmills and special pricing at commercial lumber yards.

IMHO - Don't let a 2 hour drive deter you from reaching wood nirvana. I drive an hour across town in Phoenix to visit my local lumberyards, and it can be 90min in rush hour. Easy access to cheap lumber is the one thing I miss most about leaving that area, when I moved into Arizona desert.

Best Luck.

 

[Action Jackson]

Really appreciate the intel! I'm a regular traveler from Toledo area to Akron, Pittsburg and Youngstown, definitely good with a couple hour drive to bring home some good stuff...thanks for the options!

 

[wapakfred]

I'm a fair distance south of you (about 120 miles) but Kencraft has often been described as a "woodworker's candy store". Whether you choose to buy wood there or not it's worth visiting. I typically use Frank Miller (Union City IN) and it would be a pretty good haul for you to get there. But if you're seeking quarter sawn or rift sawn hardwood they are one of the best places to go. It's also where i get my plywood, they have a good selection of hardwood plywood (in qtr sawn and rift sawn facings on many species) from Columbia Forest Products. Very good quality. Muterspaw (near Wilmington Oh) is another source for me, but again it's quite a haul for you. They have some stuff you may not find elsewhere. My last trip a few months ago I was able to find some qtr sawn sycamore, which is liking finding hens teeth, and some red elm. They also have many species in 12/4 thicknesses....another thing hard to find. So keep both of these in mind if you need some specialty wood.

 

[Woodmaster1]

Johnson’s Workbench in Charlotte Michigan is not far. They have a good selection of domestic and exotic wood.

 

[stevesawdust]

Johnson’s Workbench in Charlotte Michigan is not far. They have a good selection of domestic and exotic wood.

Johnson's Workbench is a great place, very friendly staff and huge selection of rough cut lumber (including exotics) in 6 barns. The inside store has most all the species milled to a thickness/width/length for a higher price than rough cut. A Rockler store is on-site also in showroom. They offer jointer/planer service for your purchase to thickness at $0.25 a board foot, minimum $25. They will also sand to thickness. Will rip one edge, but not rip to width. They are 2 hours and 125 miles from Toledo.