[BKBuilds]

I need 7 foot boards for my project. I called the lumber yard and I asked if they had 75bdf of 8/4 stock. They said they did. I asked if they were 8' boards... He said they are 8, 9, 10' long.

8' ok 9' getting iffy but 10' boards thats just too much wasted money for unusable board.

The question is, is it ok to ask them to cut a 10' to 8' so I'm not wasting money on 4 bdf that isn't usable to me?

My project calls for 65bdf but I figured buying 75 due to waste.

 

[ryan50hrl]

I doubt they would cut them and keep the waste. Those 2 - 3 foot cutoffs go in a pile and get used as I come across smaller projects

 

[Wizard1500]

I agree...around here, they will not cut it to your length, without you paying for the entire length that it was.....cutoffs can always make jewelry boxes, and such.....

 

[ryan50hrl]

Some o the big box stores have had 7 foot s4s lumber....but you'll likely be paying for it either way

 

[BKBuilds]

Pooo... I kinda figured but wanted to at least ask... and asking here I don't feel like a idiot especially at the only lumber yard in the area.

I wasn't figuring on asking them to cut them to 7' but I was hoping I could get all 75' in 8' boards to limit the amount of cut off waste.

Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[ryan50hrl]

It's kinda one of the reasons you pay less for semi rough cut wood....your buying random widths and lengths....I probably end up with 20% waste on most projects...

 

[Manuka Jock]

Sort thru the stack and pick out the boards you want , length and quality .

 

[BKBuilds]

Sort thru the stack and pick out the boards you want , length and quality .

Yes, I found out last time I was there that they allow you to go through the stacks. Some yards don't. This yard does free delivery but you get what they pick for you. So for this purchase I will be doing the picking myself.

 

[Manuka Jock]

It may be that the best boards that you pick out will be closer to 7' that 8 , when the checks , spits , broken knots and runoff are trimed of the ends .

 

[Steve Neul]

Rather than asking them to cut 2' off of a board which they can't use either, ask them to pull out only 8' boards for you. Just give them plenty of time so they can more or less do it in their spare time. I'm sure other customers would rather have the longer boards that are left.

 

[sawdustfactory]

My local hardwood supplier requires at least a 4' piece left if they cut a longer board. They also choose what end they'll cut from. Always find uses for those leftover pieces.

 

[BKBuilds]

Talked to the wife over dinner. She authorized addtional workbench funds to cover amounts over what I had budgeted for the project =) Problem solved. Worst case would be another $100 or so.

 

[ryan50hrl]

Always good to get the ceo to sign off on change orders....LOL

 

[phinds]

I think the "you have to leave us at least 4' " rule is pretty common, so you are likely out of luck on getting them to cut the boards down to 7'

 

[BKBuilds]

Always good to get the ceo to sign off on change orders....LOL

My wife literally is a banker, and I would literally spend every penny I had... so needless to say she runs the books and I'm just fine with that.

 

[GeorgeC]

Pooo... I kinda figured but wanted to at least ask... and asking here I don't feel like a idiot especially at the only lumber yard in the area.

I wasn't figuring on asking them to cut them to 7' but I was hoping I could get all 75' in 8' boards to limit the amount of cut off waste.

Thanks for the quick replies!

"The question is, is it ok to ask them to cut a 10' to 8' so I'm not wasting money on 4 bdf that isn't usable to me?"

The question was about cutting, whether to 7' or 8'.

None of the answers that you receive on this forum have any meaning. The only real answer can come from the place where you intend to purchase the lumber.

George

 

[gideon]

yeah, they're not going to cut some off to accommodate you. buy an 8 footer or a ten and use the wast for table or bench legs. i value cut offs like that. for rme, i get to use them on things i can build and sell as shippable pieces using material somebody else paid for.

 

[BKBuilds]

Well I went, they only had 1 8' 8/4 board. They wouldn't cut down to 8' so I best I can figure... it was 23bdf difference between the 10's I bought vs the 8's I wanted.

That and the price went up a $1 a bdf from the last time I checked which was 2 weeks ago... Good thing I brought extra money... would have picked up some Cherry or Walnut while I was there but it all got spent on the maple.

 

[HowardAcheson]

I doubt they would cut them and keep the waste. Those 2 - 3 foot cutoffs go in a pile and get used as I come across smaller projects

They will charge you for the longer length board and you will have the option of taking the cut offs or the yard will take the cut offs. They may even charge you for cutting the boards.

 

[Sleeper]

Home Depot does that for the hardwoods which is sold by the lineal foot. I picked up a piece of oak that someone else had left behind that was 33” I needed 2 ft and was going to cut it but thought it wasn’t worth my time to cut the excess off with their little dull hand saw.

I was surprised when I paid for it because they charged a percentage for the extra inches over the foot. I was not sure if they would just call it 2 1/2 ft or round it down to 2 ft. :laughing: They charged me for 33"