: I found a guy in Alaska that is getting ready to cut some Sitka logs in the
: next week or two. He will sell for $10 per. board foot. This lumber will
: still need to dry, and shipping to Seattle is about $50.

: Now what is so special about Sitka? Is this really the best wood to use?

Hi Sage, Compton Lumber in Seattle has rough cut Sitka Spruce in varying sizes for $7.20/bf. I don't know if they ship but you'd want to hand pick the boards anyway... like Rehd says, some of the boards aren't all that great.

Sitka is famous for long lengths of straight grain and a good strength/weight ratio. It's been used as ship masts/spars for years... also in airplanes - thus the name "Aircraft Spruce". I used it in my feature strips because I like the color and, I have to admit, the mystique. Unfortunately, it only grows in the coastal Pacific Northwest and most of the good trees are gone. Next time I might use Yellow Cedar for light accents.

I don't know that much about SOFs beside what I've read but I might try scarfing together lengths of tight-grain Cedar. I hope this was helpful.

- Chip
http://www.nwlink.com/~chips