It’s a well known fact that the Sitka supply chain is having problems. Wicks no longer sells it, ACS turn around time is stretching out weeks to over a month depending on what you need. My guy buys right from a guy who sells direct to other kit manufacturers and the lead time was six weeks. Why? The Japanese are buying it in huge quantities for musical instruments.
None of this is good for a builder. Waiting a bit might not be a big deal for most of us, and it’s not like the supply is just going to disappear over night. But, given the situation maybe now would be a good time to start collectively pushing an alternative, even better if it’s inspected but uncertified.
Western Hemlock and Doug Fur seem like the best candidates. Anything much heavier is a non starter in my view. A vendor who can sell it in large boards with strait clean grain to be cut down by the builder via table saw or band saw, or for an extra fee mill it down to specific sizes would be ideal. I think finding someone in the business already, who ships, and then working together to come up with a product line would be the best bet.
Any know of such a company?
None of this is good for a builder. Waiting a bit might not be a big deal for most of us, and it’s not like the supply is just going to disappear over night. But, given the situation maybe now would be a good time to start collectively pushing an alternative, even better if it’s inspected but uncertified.
Western Hemlock and Doug Fur seem like the best candidates. Anything much heavier is a non starter in my view. A vendor who can sell it in large boards with strait clean grain to be cut down by the builder via table saw or band saw, or for an extra fee mill it down to specific sizes would be ideal. I think finding someone in the business already, who ships, and then working together to come up with a product line would be the best bet.
Any know of such a company?