>
> > Jim Weaver wrote:
> >
> > Beech is very sturdy also.  The subcontractors who make the standard
> > furniture for McDonald's, Taco Bell and other hi traffic restaurants use a
> > great deal of beech in the furniture.  It's relatively cheap and very
durable.
>
> I've found several lumberyards that carry 4/4 beech, but for the life of me
> I can't find thick stock (for making hand planes).  I've got a guy with
> a Woodmizer that's keeping his eye out for a tree for me, but in the mean
> time I'd like to pick up a few plane-sized pieces of 12/4 or 16/4 beech.
>
> Anyone know of a source?

My standard comment on this is that some people in the USA
seem to suffer from "Europe-envy". Something to do with history.
Whereas over here in Europe, we would quite happily
KILL to get the wonderful timbers you have in USA, (at USA prices).
Specifically:
Maple. I mean, some of you guys actually import enough **** beech
to build a work-bench, when maple is cheap. I suspect well seasoned
maple would work JUST FINE for a plane (unless a galloot knows different).
As for the cost of hickory over here... (most timber yards just plain
DON'T HAVE ANY).

(BTW, some eurpeans import enough Maple to make a work-bench...)

        BugBear.