Every time my husband volunteers to build something, we go to Lowes and spend a frustrating time going through all of the 2x6x8 or whatever size our project calls for and get stuck sorting through more bad wood than good.

Where do you go for your wood projects? Is there a place in Houston?

The idea is to build a piece of furniture, a desk, that we are proud of making and on an Ikea budget.

I was real disappointed in the wood selection in this town when I was building a piece of furniture. Good luck.

Well odds are you're not going to be building furniture out of southern pine or spf, which are the only two species you're going to find easily in town at any of the yards.

My advice is to skip the box stores because they can't help you; go to one of the local yards like Woodson or Callaway Lumber and have them order the S4S hardwood lumber you need. It'll be a decent price and won't take but a few days.

Try Woodson or McCoy's. They usually have higher quality stuff, and WAY more knowledgeable help.

Thank you for the suggestion!

did we have this discussion?

studioone, yes, we had this discussion last night during your photography class. Hopefully, one of the three suggestions is open today.

Callaway lumber is the best

McCoys has some stuff, but very little hardwood selection.

Lowed is crap except for plywood and white wood.

There's a saw mill right on our side of Huntsville that carries cedar, maple, mesquite and walnut. Short of that, go to Houston hardwoods.

queso... do u know the name of this mill?

Is this the mill owned by the Lamborghini kit car guy?

Sometimes you can get good smaller hardwood pieces off pallets.

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queso... do u know the name of this mill?

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TDCJ Lumber Mill

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Sometimes you can get good smaller hardwood pieces off pallets.

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Plenty of things to be aware of when reclaiming wood from pallets:

https://www.fix.com/blog/preparing-wood-pallets-for-upcycling/

M & G saw mill. Sorry.

Well, an IKEA budget is not going to buy hardwoods for a desk. Not trying to rain on your parade, but do be prepared for some sticker shock.

Houston Hardwoods or Clark's Lumber in Houston are great spot to pick out quality boards.

When I built my kids rocking horses I wanted specific custom cut wood. I used houston hardwoods and have always had a great experience. I believe I called and told them what species I want and what dimensions and they call me when it's ready to pick up. Cut, squared, planed....ready for me to work.

Not sure now, but I used them a few years ago for a few poplar boards and it was over 100 bucks. Wood is expensive....