Help me with my Lumber hauling

[Danl]

I am planning to start the build of a Mission style bedroom set.  The complete set will have a bed, nightstand, chest-of-drawers, dresser, and hanging mirror.  This will be a large project for my small basement shop.  I have the design near completion and am working to determine material quantities.  My wife has asked me to make it from quarter sawn white oak.

 

Currently, my local lumber distributor does not have what I am looking for, so I am thinking about driving to Frank Miller Lumber in IN.  This will be a 720-mile round trip for me.  I have never been there and have not spoken to them.

 

I have estimated that I will need 174 board feet.  This quantity has not been factored for waste.  So, if I need 200 bd ft of white oak, what are my transportation requirements and options?  I have a F-150 short bed pick-up which has a plastic bed liner and covered with a tonneau cover.  The bed is 6’-6” long with the tail gate closed and 8’-9” with the gate open.  I have never transported anything of this size with the gate open.  Two hundred bd ft of lumber is an approximately 4’ x 8’ x 7” pile weighing in at ~800 lbs.  I know I will have varied thicknesses, widths, and lengths.  All which will contribute to a less than perfect situated load.

 

Usually, I hand select my lumber and take the design into consideration for the board selections, i.e.  I have a few 8” high dresser drawers and I would like the fronts to be one piece and I want to minimize cut-off waste.  I have a few 5” drawers.  These can be made from a 5-1/2” wide board but I would like for all of the 5” drawers to be made from the same board.   I know not every board needs to be quartered-sawn.  Plain sawn will be okay for some usages and will save me money.

Being my shop is small, I will have to store the purchased lumber in the recreational area of my basement.   I want to be mindful of my wife’s desire to not make the whole basement my playroom.

 

One option is to only purchase enough lumber for the nightstand and the bed and make a 2nd purchase for the chest-of-drawers and dresser.  Approximately 100 bd ft would be needed for each trip.  This option would help me (not eliminate) with the basement issue and help me calculate my waste percentage, but would create the need for two trips, which adds to the expense.   If I purchase the material in one trip, I do not anticipate being able to hand select many boards.  Hand selecting 200 bd ft would consume many hours and would be frowned upon.

 

I could rent a U-Haul trailer.  Then I would have the trailer expense and the hassle of pick-up and return.  A U-Haul trailer would nicely protect the lumber from any road grime, rain, or snow.  If I used my truck bed, I could use a tarp and wrap my lumber bundle (a hassle).  I am not concerned about the weight, but I am concerned about securing the load inside the bed with the tail gate down.  I am not certain how to do it.

 

Am I over thinking this entire issue of lumber hauling?  I would like to hear your thoughts, concerns, ideas, suggestions.   Danl

 

[lew]

With the tailgate down, I think you will be able to easily handle 8/9 ft. boards. A 7/8" tall stack of lumber isn't that big and can easily be tarped, after securing. 

 

Here's an idea- https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/pickup-trucks-how-to-transport-things/#:~:text=Start by laying out two,bed with two ratchet straps.

 

This guy show how to use a rope to cinch it down. A guy at the equipment rental place showed me a similar knot configuration. 

 

 

About storage. You'll want to allow the wood to acclimate to your shop so having all of the wood at one time may speed things up a little especially if you need to pick thru the pile as you are building. All the lumber would be ready to use.

[Smallpatch]

Danl that's not much of a load for a pickup. 

 

I will give you a warning from my wife. We have a bed in the guest bed room that is almost like the one in your picture and the extended footboard that sticks out each side of the mattress is a killer on her legs every time she makes the bed up...and both daughters have complained every time they come to see us.

 

And two round trips is lots of gas.

 

Picture shows two chests and no dresser with a mirror?

 

Also have you figured how long this many pieces will take you?

 

[kmealy]

As someone who hauled a load of lumber from FML in a Ford Ranger, that resulted in a dump after pulling away from a light -- Be careful.

 

A "Two half hitch" knot, followed by 2 or three half hitches would be my recommendation, as if the load starts to slip, the knot tightens.  But if you can factor in a trailer or van, that would be another option.  Enterprise, for example, will rent cargo vans and I don't think they charge mileage like U-Haul does.

 

In this diagram, the numbers would be the front of the bed where the loose end is secured.  If the load starts to slide out, tension tightens the knots.  This diagram shows the terminal knot a timber hitch, though.  This is sometimes called a "killen hitch"

 

 

 

Edited February 16, 2022 by kmealy

[kmealy]

FML also does some deliveries.  They have delivered to my homes near Cincinnati multiple times (about 2-3 hrs away).  They put it on a truck with other loads and will contact you a day ahead when they have a load to the area.  They might get a little closer to you that way, (e.g., Louisville) but you'd need to be a bit more flexible.  It would be worth a call and ask.  You could just meet them at one of the other delivery points (if it's OK with them to hang in the parking lot).

[Grandpadave52]

Not sure when you might plan the trip to Indiana Dan nor exactly where in Missouri you're located. Would love to have you visit in the Hoosier state however, from now until April, the weather can change dramatically in the course of just a few hours.  I'll suggest an alternative to consider.

 

Have you checked Craigslist in your general area for QS White Oak availability? Two categories in particular; Farm+Garden & Materials; at least in my general area there are several small, independent suppliers/bandsaw mills/circular saw mills; most provide either or both air & kiln dried lumber. Also just do a general search in Google for "Hardwood Suppliers....Missouri, Southern IL, Western KY, etc. You might be surprised.

 

Even if the cost/bd/ft is a bit more, calculate $0.54/mile for fuel, wear & tear on your vehicle not to mention the time.

 

Regardless your decision, you might consider one of these if you want to haul longer material. Bed Extender. I have the one linked. It's well made and works great. I've also seen them at Farm & Fleet, Tractor Supply, Menard, & Rural King.

 

This one came up in a doing a search in Southern IL. U Pick Hardwood St. Peter, MO. Just my $.02. Good luck and keep us posted.

Edited February 16, 2022 by Grandpadave52

[Wichman3]

Gandpad, you beat me by seconds.

 

A tarp and a bed extender:

https://www.harborfreight.com/truck-bed-extender-69650.html

 

[Ron Dudelston]

Danl, I buy from FML about twice a month and you won’t find a better dealer.  Kerry, the front desk attendant, is as square a shooter as you will find.  If you call them before you get there they will set bunks of lumber down for you to sort through.  They also have compound miter saw and can cut anything to length.  If you have a business card be sure to show it to Kerry because they have 6 or 7 pricing scales from outlet (highest) to business (lowest). The card will get you business price.  If you want current prices give me a call because I have a current price sheet.  In fact, let me know when you are going and I will meet you there.

[Cal]

8 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Have you checked Craigslist in your general area for QS White Oak availability? Two categories in particular; Farm+Garden & Materials; at least in my general area there are several small, independent suppliers/bandsaw mills/circular saw mills; most provide either or both air & kiln dried lumber. Also just do a general search in Google for "Hardwood Suppliers....Missouri, Southern IL, Western KY, etc. You might be surprised.

 

This was my thought.  You can also check with your state Dept. of Agriculture and county extension agent for possible sources.  Lots of benefits to trading local.  Nothing against FML intended, I've never done business with them.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

Like Keith I've hauled  a fair amount of wood from FML, though my trip is a little shorter (70 miles). While I've had a couple of trucks over the years, the last 12 years or so has been a short bed F150 (short being the 6'4" bed, with a cap on it) and I have hauled a couple of hundred bd. ft. at a time. Using ratchet straps to encircle the wood pile and fastening them to the anchors in the truck has always kept it secure for me, but then I never got in any drag races on the way home. . If you call them and order your lumber in advance, they will have it strapped together, and have a clever way of sliding it into your truck bed. Their strapping is very good, all you need to do is secure it to the truck and leave (pay for it first). Off the subject, I built two very similar dressers, worked out very well. In the pic these are the typical dark color seen on many pieces. I built a third one matching the one the on the right and used no stain, just natural oak. I liked it a lot better. I can't find my pics, but I also built the bad (headboard only) and nght stand that matched the set.

Edited February 16, 2022 by Fred W. Hargis Jr

[Grandpadave52]

Very, very nice @Fred W. Hargis Jr. Heirloom pieces. Love the look of this period style furniture.

[Danl]

15 hours ago, lew said:

With the tailgate down, I think you will be able to easily handle 8/9 ft. boards. A 7/8" tall stack of lumber isn't that big and can easily be tarped, after securing. 

 

Here's an idea- https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/pickup-trucks-how-to-transport-things/#:~:text=Start by laying out two,bed with two ratchet straps.

 

This guy show how to use a rope to cinch it down. A guy at the equipment rental place showed me a similar knot configuration. 

 

About storage. You'll want to allow the wood to acclimate to your shop so having all of the wood at one time may speed things up a little especially if you need to pick thru the pile as you are building. All the lumber would be ready to use.

Thanks Lew for the reply.  A lot of good information.  Danl

[Danl]

14 hours ago, kmealy said:

As someone who hauled a load of lumber from FML in a Ford Ranger, that resulted in a dump after pulling away from a light -- Be careful.

 

A "Two half hitch" knot, followed by 2 or three half hitches would be my recommendation, as if the load starts to slip, the knot tightens.  But if you can factor in a trailer or van, that would be another option.  Enterprise, for example, will rent cargo vans and I don't think they charge mileage like U-Haul does.

 

In this diagram, the numbers would be the front of the bed where the loose end is secured.  If the load starts to slide out, tension tightens the knots.  This diagram shows the terminal knot a timber hitch, though.  This is sometimes called a "killen hitch"

 

Thanks for the knot tying information.  In the past I always had a way, but usually not the best way.   I may look into the cargo van rental.   Danl

 

 

 

[Danl]

13 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Not sure when you might plan the trip to Indiana Dan nor exactly where in Missouri you're located. Would love to have you visit in the Hoosier state however, from now until April, the weather can change dramatically in the course of just a few hours.  I'll suggest an alternative to consider.

 

Have you checked Craigslist in your general area for QS White Oak availability? Two categories in particular; Farm+Garden & Materials; at least in my general area there are several small, independent suppliers/bandsaw mills/circular saw mills; most provide either or both air & kiln dried lumber. Also just do a general search in Google for "Hardwood Suppliers....Missouri, Southern IL, Western KY, etc. You might be surprised.

 

Even if the cost/bd/ft is a bit more, calculate $0.54/mile for fuel, wear & tear on your vehicle not to mention the time.

 

Regardless your decision, you might consider one of these if you want to haul longer material. Bed Extender. I have the one linked. It's well made and works great. I've also seen them at Farm & Fleet, Tractor Supply, Menard, & Rural King.

 

This one came up in a doing a search in Southern IL. U Pick Hardwood St. Peter, MO. Just my $.02. Good luck and keep us posted.

I was planning to purchase the lumber early March.  I am aware of the changing weather IN has to offer.  I was stuck in a motel for 2 days once because of bad weather both in MO and IN.  I have seen much of Indianapolis but nothing else.  My son swam many times at the IUPUI.

 

I am willing to pay for quality lumber that has been properly kiln dried.  I am aware of UPick Hardwood in St. Peters.  I buy most of my lumber from there and the owner is a great guy.  He gives me a discount because I belong to the local GUILD.  He just does not have have a selection of quarter sawn white oak and he does not have 5/4 material.  Much of my design is centered around 7/8" final thickness and I do not want to plan down from 6/4 material.  I could use a road trip.  This pandemic has had me cooped up to long.  Thanks for the information and go thoughts.  Danl  

[Danl]

15 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

Danl that's not much of a load for a pickup. 

 

I will give you a warning from my wife. We have a bed in the guest bed room that is almost like the one in your picture and the extended footboard that sticks out each side of the mattress is a killer on her legs every time she makes the bed up...and both daughters have complained every time they come to see us.

 

And two round trips is lots of gas.

 

Picture shows two chests and no dresser with a mirror?

 

Also have you figured how long this many pieces will take you?

 

I told my wife that I wanted to make her a bedroom set and Mission style is what she wanted.  She wants the corbels on the sides.  She said she knows that the footboard may be unfriendly.  Thanks for clarifying that I have two chest and no dresser.  Not including a pic of the mirror was an oversight.  

 

I have a spread sheet which includes every piece for each furniture piece except for the second dresser (which is very similar to the 1st dresser).  I hope to have this project done during my life time.  I was asked to remodel my son's bathroom latter this year and I would like to remodel my bathroom next year.  I do all of my spray finishing in my garage and I have to work around the weather.  So, I will have a few distractions.  Thanks for the information.  Danl

 

[Danl]

14 hours ago, Ron Dudelston said:

Danl, I buy from FML about twice a month and you won’t find a better dealer.  Kerry, the front desk attendant, is as square a shooter as you will find.  If you call them before you get there they will set bunks of lumber down for you to sort through.  They also have compound miter saw and can cut anything to length.  If you have a business card be sure to show it to Kerry because they have 6 or 7 pricing scales from outlet (highest) to business (lowest). The card will get you business price.  If you want current prices give me a call because I have a current price sheet.  In fact, let me know when you are going and I will meet you there.

Ron, thanks for all of the good information, advise and offers.  I will give your a PM.   Danl

[Danl]

4 minutes ago, Danl said:

I told my wife that I wanted to make her a bedroom set and Mission style is what she wanted.  She wants the corbels on the sides.  She said she knows that the footboard may be unfriendly.  Thanks for clarifying that I have two chest and no dresser.  Not including a pic of the mirror was an oversight.  

 

I have a spread sheet which includes every piece for each furniture piece except for the second dresser (which is very similar to the 1st dresser).  I hope to have this project done during my life time.  I was asked to remodel my son's bathroom latter this year and I would like to remodel my bathroom next year.  I do all of my spray finishing in my garage and I have to work around the weather.  So, I will have a few distractions.  Thanks for the information.  Danl

 

Ooops.  I for got the pic of the mirror again.  Danl

 

 

 

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

9 minutes ago, Danl said:

 Thanks for clarifying that I have two chest and no dresser.  

 

Well, this is woodworking and semantics can get crossed, but Wood published a plan very similar to the one with a hatch and called it a dresser (it does have the mirror attached). The pair I made was based on the Wood plan, the first with a hatch was their plan...the chest of drawers I just created using the same dimensions.

[Danl]

4 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Like Keith I've hauled  a fair amount of wood from FML, though my trip is a little shorter (70 miles). While I've had a couple of trucks over the years, the last 12 years or so has been a short bed F150 (short being the 6'4" bed, with a cap on it) and I have hauled a couple of hundred bd. ft. at a time. Using ratchet straps to encircle the wood pile and fastening them to the anchors in the truck has always kept it secure for me, but then I never got in any drag races on the way home. . If you call them and order your lumber in advance, they will have it strapped together, and have a clever way of sliding it into your truck bed. Their strapping is very good, all you need to do is r it to the truck and leave (pay for it first). Off the subject, I built two very similar dressers, worked out very well. In the pic these are the typical dark color seen on many pieces. I built a third one matching the one the on the right and used no stain, just natural oak. I liked it a lot better. I can't find my pics, but I also built the bad (headboard only) and nght stand that matched the set.

 

Fred, thanks for the good information.  I have the WOOD magazine plans.  I have made of few changes.  My design is using 7/8" thick matl instead of 3/4", I plan to use no plywood, I have modified the curved pieces to be angular, my drawer construction will be TS cut dovetails and Blum under mount slides, I changed the corners to allow to have legs, the bed will have a knock-down tenon/bolt design, and I want to add some inlay detail.  Your furniture pieces look nicely done.   Danl

[DAB]

if your longest piece is under 6-6, bring a saw and cut longer pieces to shorter pieces.  if you need something longer than the bed length, let it run long above the closed tail gate.  strap down, red flag, done.

 

as for quantity, if you "need" a net of 174 BF, i'd get at least 40% overage, to account for waste and mistakes and being able to choose really cool pieces for visible areas.  if you have extra when done, then you can make other small stuff later out of the same nice lumber.