Wood


We went on a lumber adventure today to pick up project lumber to build the 3-in-1 bed and dresser/changing table for our first grandchild. Wood magazine had very nice plans for the project but I soon discovered that finding the right size lumber was not possible here locally. That’s another disadvantage to living in this relatively small town. Penny took an evening and searched the internet for the nearest locations that might have the lumber. The closest places were in Mobile and Quincy. Quincy seemed to be the better choice so today we dragged the trailer there and back and got all the lumber we will need for the project.


Not much noteworthy about the drive, but the experience at Quincy Hardwood was rather pleasant. The lumber warehouse (a large metal building) is essentially worked by 1 man and the office by 1 lady. The warehouse guy was a typical southern good-ole-boy. A family man and very helpful. We told him what we were looking for and he walked us around and showed us what he had. Since we don’t know yet whether the furniture will be painted, light wood or dark wood we compromised and got the least expensive hardwood that would do all 3, Ash. That’s the same type of wood baseball bats are made of. We can paint it or clear coat it for light wood or stain it for dark wood. The lumber guy devoted all his time while we were there to us. He said that’s his job but I think he went over and above his duties. He sifted through all of his ash boards selecting the best of what he had for us. We found just enough lumber to do the job and leave some margin for errors. I know there will be errors.

After selecting all the boards and plywood we needed we loaded up the trailer, again with lots of help from our friendly lumber man. He also made sure everything was secure before we headed out. We gave him a tip for his service.


On the drive back a big flatbed truck passed me. As he pulled away from me I saw that he had signs on his truck. An arrow pointing to the left side said El Paso meaning that was the side to pass on. An arrow pointing to the right side said El Masho – I think that is self-explanatory.

We got back home around 2:30, we had left about 7 AM. Penny helped me unload and put it into the shop’s wood storage. All of the wood on the top rack in the picture is for the project along with 5 sheets of plywood and some boards on the floor (2nd picture).

This is an ambitious project for me and will supply plenty of challenge to my woodworking skills. We’ve got about 6 months or more before it is needed so I don’t have to rush this. I’ve still got a little bit of shop setup to do before I start, but that is only a day or 2 of work. So I should actually start cutting soon.


There is good news in all this for my shoulders. With all the driving, lifting and carrying wood I did today my shoulders don’t hurt at all. The scar on my left shoulder hurts a little because the seat belt rubs it. I didn’t feel any crepitation either. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.