Questions to the Intarsia makers

[FrankEV]

I am sure these questions have been asked, and answered, by others in the past.  However, but I am going to ask them again since I have not seen anything in this regard recently.

1. Where do you purchase your project wood? 
   1. I know of, and often purchase from Ocooch Hardwood, but wonder if this is the best source of wood for Intarsia?
2. When do you purchase it?
   1. On a project-by-project basis?
   2. Or, in advance, to have a stockpile of various wood colors available?
      1. If so, what quantities?
      2. And, how big a verity do you keep on hand?
3. What widths and thickness of boards do you purchase?
   1. If you purchase for a specific project, do you select widths and thicknesses to suit the project?
   2. Or, is it more prudent to always purchase the widest widths available and always purchase 3/4" thickness?
4. How do you select your wood purchase choices?
   1. I assume by color, however, do you just use the Pattern maker's recommendations?
   2. Or, do you make your own choices based on the suppliers sample photos?
   3. Or, do you use available sample wood pieces? (I used to have a book of samples years ago, but unfortunately long gone?)

I am just attempting my very first Intarsia project and happen to have some 3/4” Maple and Walnut that will do for this piece.  However, looking toward attempting a more multi-colored Intarsia Project, how to choose and obtain the wood needed without having a readily available stock of wood to choose from is baffling to me. 

For my art panels I pre-purchase boxes of Plywood so I can begin a new piece at any time.  However, for an Intarsia Project, I will need to plan well in advance, allowing time to order the wood needed.   I think this process could put a damper on my enthusiasm for a project.

And lastly, I do spend a fair amount of dollars on my art panel materials, but it seems that Intarsia Projects are not for the budjet minded?  Is this true only in the begining, or is it a rather an on going costly Scroll Saw activity? 

Any answers, or suggestions, you can provide will be most appreciated.  

Edited July 11, 2024 by FrankEV

[Dave Monk]

I'm a wood hoarder. I have over 25 species of wood in my shop. I am fortunate to have a 24 x 30 shop so I have room for wood and equipment.  I live in the DFW area so there are several places that sell exotic wood. I also  buy some wood on line if it's something I can't find locally. Ocooch is the best online company that I've dealt with. With that assortment of wood I have plenty of colors that I don't have to buy special for a particular project. I buy my wood up to an inch thick and mill it to the thickness I want. 

Warning..............It is very addictive. 

[barb.j.enders]

I still consider myself a "newbie" for intarsia.  I haven't ordered anything online, yet, but mostly because I can't afford it with exchange rates!  I am in Canada.  I have gone to a couple of local shops that sell "exotic" woods.  I try to buy 3/4" s2s or s4s woods.  I do not have a planer to mill my own.  So far, I will go buy based on a project.  I am building up a bit of a wood supply.

[don in brooklin on]

I am in Canada too and am a wood hoarder.  I pick up wood just in case.  

I found that many of JGR patterns are done with various shades of Western Cedar.  I went to my local wood supplier (Peacock in Oshawa) and they let me pick the pile and I ended up with a few different colours from dark to light.  Enough to last a lifetime for me in Intarsia.

Every time I pass thru Burlington Ontario I stop at Exotic woods and they have exotics and domestics in every colour you can dream of.  Nice size pieces 6 x 12 by 3/4.  Each time it is hundred $ or so.  

It is amazing how little wood you use in a project.  I keep all you scraps.

 

[BadBob]

I don't have a local supplier other than the big box stores. If the project isn't poplar, oak, or pine, I order it online. I like Ocooch Hardwood best. I make some made-to-order items and try to keep the wood on hand in the correct thickness so I can get the orders out quickly. I'm not beyond salvaging wood from discarded furniture or collecting other people's cutoffs that they can't use.

[barb.j.enders]

23 hours ago, don in brooklin on said:

I am in Canada too and am a wood hoarder.  I pick up wood just in case.  

I found that many of JGR patterns are done with various shades of Western Cedar.  I went to my local wood supplier (Peacock in Oshawa) and they let me pick the pile and I ended up with a few different colours from dark to light.  Enough to last a lifetime for me in Intarsia.

Every time I pass thru Burlington Ontario I stop at Exotic woods and they have exotics and domestics in every colour you can dream of.  Nice size pieces 6 x 12 by 3/4.  Each time it is hundred $ or so.  

It is amazing how little wood you use in a project.  I keep all you scraps.

 

Hmmm!  Maybe I should get you to shop for me!!!!