First, Sparkey you can't be paying $18 to $28 for a piece of wood that is
1/4 inch x 4 inch x 30 inch ... there has to be a mis-type somewhere.
Geeze, I could stick that piece of wood down my pant leg and walk around
about like I do now.
OK, Ya'll, try this. (Maybe some of you have).
* Yellow Pages Look under ( wood, carpentry, home building, sawmills, cabinet makers )
Contact them, these business always have scrap to give away or sell.
* Craigs List... Do a " Wanted: Scrap Wood " along with whats for sale.
* Picture Framers sometimes throw away scratched, chipped framing wood.
* Old Barns. fallen down ... . Stop and ask.
* Invest in a 'Business Card' that INDICATES you want scrap wood.
Then tack these up at HOT SPOTS.
Just my thoughts.