Black locust

It’s difficult to find. Most commercial lumber yards don’t have it. Your best bet would to find a local sawmill guy and see if they have it or can get it. Have you ever worked with it before?

I have not worked it before. I know it’s hard and can be quite the dermatological nightmare. Most people don’t use it for anything fancy.

It is supposed to be good for outdoor use, especially for decks. The only place I’ve seen it lately is Robi Decking but I am not sure if they want to ship it in small quantities. If you live in an area where it is native, you might try Craig’s list looking for local sawyers and mills.

-- Nathan, TX -- Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.

I am curious as to where I can find some black locust boards to make some small projects. My wife likes the way it looks and that s what she picked out. I live north of Indianapolis about an hour and it s hard to find a commercial source. Any help would be appreciated.

- Joshdhatcher

Should be able to get it locally. Craigslist has a listing on your side of town @ 2.50 board ft for stuff below 20 inches wide and 3.20 above.

I have not worked it before. I know it s hard and can be quite the dermatological nightmare. Most people don t use it for anything fancy.

- Joshdhatcher

I think it was Russ Filbeck who made a sculpted rocker out of it and was quite literally the most beautiful piece of furniture i have ever seen in person.

I honestly hadn’t thought of Craigslist. I’ve been so focused on marketplace it never crossed my mind. Thank you so much! My wife will get her wish of wood type. However she may get irked in the long run with all the new bargains I find! Thanks again!

I bought some this past summer from Keim Lumber in Millersburg Ohio will visiting that area.

-- socrbent Ohio

I honestly hadn t thought of Craigslist. I ve been so focused on marketplace it never crossed my mind. Thank you so much! My wife will get her wish of wood type. However she may get irked in the long run with all the new bargains I find! Thanks again!

- Joshdhatcher

Cassesns is another place to look local but he doesn’t have any listed currently.

Buying online, EBay and a multitude of other sources sell it regularly.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=black+locust+lumber&t=opera&ia=web&iai=r1-2&page=1&sexp=%7B"prodexp"%3A"b"%2C"prdsdexp"%3A"c"%2C"biaexp"%3A"b"%2C"msvrtexp"%3A"b"%7D

Personally if it’s for indoor projects, I’d look at some Ash, and I imagine your wife would not object to the look, if she likes Locust. I’m over in SW Ohio, and will say most of the Black Locust I have seen isn’t anywhere near black, it’s usually a white to brown very plain looking wood.

Black Ash

Black Locust

Closer to you than Keim, I think you would see some at Frank Miller in Union City on the Oh/In border. Over closer to me is Muterspaw near Xenia. Craig is selling it at $2.67 bd/ft less for 100 bd/ft or more. He almost always has 4/4, and often has 4”x4” posts as well. A lot of people like it for fences.

Carsons is down in Sunman In. John would know if he had any in stock, he’d be a does or doesn’t answer, and his pricing would probably be the lowest you would find.

-- Think safe, be safe

I used it to make the piano bench in my project page. I used it because I got a bunch of 8/4 for free. It is tough to work with. The grain can tear out pretty easy.

I used it to make the piano bench in my project page. I used it because I got a bunch of 8/4 for free. It is tough to work with. The grain can tear out pretty easy.

- corelz125

Haven’t tried black locust but quilted maple is one of the more difficult woods I’ve worked with. Abrasive tools are far from my favorite, but sure helps when working with it. Sounds like black locust may be similar?

-- Darrel

Only used regular maple foghorn never quilted. The locust grain resembles oak a little bit.

Thanks for all the replies for places. I’m going to check it out. Hopefully I’ll get to building something soon!

Roger Bonesteel used to saw & dry black locust. I still have several boards I bought from him.