Whats the difference???

[cjtpilot]

Ok to all the master builders out there....... What is the difference in getting wood from say Lowes or Home Depot as opposed to ordering from a specialty store when ordering specialty wood? Example Teak, African Mahogany, Jatoba, etc.........

[Jetlink]

When you order anything that is "custom" from the "Blue/Orange Box" you get what they order you without being able to hand pick your pieces. At least that has been my experience. I know of a few good lumber yards that specialize in all sort of lumber like teak and it is well worth it to go there instead of the box stores. I get all my furniture grade oak and such there and I would recommend that.

[cjtpilot]

I was just wondering........ I am going to check out that place you sent me since its local. after reading a couple posts on here Teak won't be used either African Mahogany or Jatoba.

[Cusefan78]

Nothing wrong with teak if it's cared for. I'm going to replace my fiberglass swim deck with a custom teak one this winter. I'm going to copy the mastercraft design and finish with the teak oil recipe from teamtalk

[michael hunter]

Only thing wrong with Teak is the price. I was going to build a swim platform for a buddy out of teak . After being quoted 17.00 a board foot it would have cost 525.00 just for the wood. I built it out of African Mahogany for 125.00. That was three years ago it has held up perfect so far.

[Jetlink]

I was just wondering........ I am going to check out that place you sent me since its local. after reading a couple posts on here Teak won't be used either African Mahogany or Jatoba.

Lombard is the big location for that lumber yard if I recall. I was thinking of making a trip there Sunday but I could possibly do a run tomorrow. Let me know if either of those work.

[Ptownkid]

The biggest difference between the big box stores and independent lumber yards in my experience is price. What my local HD wants for dressed hardwood is criminal.

[Cusefan78]

Do you have any pics of the one you built?

[Jetlink]

Do you have any pics of the one you built?

https://forum.supraboats.com/showthread.php?14450-making-new-swim-platform&highlight=african+mahogany+platform

Post #2 in that link.

[Cusefan78]

Those are nice. I think I'm going to copy the MasterCraft cc look. I like the spacer blocks

[CornRickey]

If able buy rough and machine down. Big box stores machine to size so there is no opportunity to straighten anything. All over priced and low quality.

[CornRickey]

There is many species of mahogany. I would recommend going with the harder versions like Maranty. I covered my 1200sqft deck with it and rely like it.

[cjtpilot]

I would of thought the big box stores would be cheaper but if any difference would be lessor quality. The place that Jetlink suggested so far has the best prices I have found online and its close so I can hand pick.

[CornRickey]

Local sawmills with kilns are cheaper by at least half but your not going to have none native species. I got my decking through a mill that imports it by the shipping container. Local Mills are going to have more waste.

[CornRickey]

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