Znem1987 Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Hi there sawdust brethren, I am very new to this site, so bear with me if this has been asked before. I am starting a Carpentry business on the side, and I'm just starting to look at more exotic woods for the tables that I make. I found a guy with some 8/4 African mahogany near me. It's 12" wide, 16' long. He's asking $145 per board, $9 pbf. Is this a reasonable price? Humbly yours, Zack (Noob woodworker) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 If he's selling it for $145 per board, that's $4.50 per board foot, not $9.00. So yeah, that's an amazing price. Ours is $8.50/bf and it's just random width. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 That's definitly a good price. Ask if it its Khaya ? That's the species name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Eric is correct that it's $4.50 BF. To calculate use this formula: width X length X thickness / 12 12 X 16 X (8/4) / 12 = 32 BF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 I find it easier to use all inches... L x W x T / 144 192 x 12 x 2 / 144 = 32 145 / 32 = 4.53 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Lumber prices can be quite , , , er , , , exciting by location. Whereabouts are you Zack? At $4.50/bf I would snap it up. I generally pay $6 -$7 for 8/4 but, then pay a premium for "wide" (which is over 9"). Speaking as someone with limited room I will stuff lumber in the shop anywhere (it can be stored properly) to take advantage of a good deal. Once I reach maximum density (including the vertical storage area I built in my MIL's garage) I have to start passing on things. That being said I will grab gaboon ebony anytime I find it under $50/bf (I usually pay about $75) and find somewhere to put it. I think there's a couple of billets in my sock drawer right now . The point is, I try to hold off on lumber that is readily available at my supplier and leave room for "deals" as they do come by more often than you think once you learn to keep an eye out for them. I did a random piece out of sapele years ago. Someone saw it and asked for some items from the same material. I now find folks selecting sapele (and some sipo) over African mahoganies as it has a darker hue that looks more like the 'hard to come by' genuine mahoganies. Just some things to keep an eye out for if mahoganies become a favorite.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Yep, $4.50 is a killer price where I am as well.. I'm usually in the $8.00 range.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 I just bought a pack of 8/4 sapele for $4.05 a bdft, but all my boards arent 12" wide! Somehow, african mahogany does run slightly more expensive at around $4.50-$4.75 for a pack. Personally, i think sapele is much darker and nicer of a wood. In any case, yes $4.50 a bdft for wide and long material is a good to great price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Znem1987 Posted November 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Man, I've been calculating board foot wrong!!! :-/ I live in the Cleveland area. Thank you all for your input!! Most of the forums I've tried have been inactive!! It's good to see such fast and positive advice!! Thank you all!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 31 minutes ago, Znem1987 said: Most of the forums I've tried have been inactive!! It's good to see such fast and positive advice!! Thank you all!! Good reason for you to stick around. Welcome to the forums Zack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Yeah, Zack, glad to have you join us! Don't let this be your last visit. And grab that lumber before it vanishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.