> Paul Womack wrote:
>
> > Scott Post wrote:
> >
> > 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?
>
> 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).

Maple does make a fine plane, but it's not as nice to work as beech.
I made a #14 hollow out of beech this weekend while Tod Herrli was making
a set of molders out of maple.  He was doing plenty of cussing about
the maple's hardness and greater tendency to tear out.  The beech worked
really nicely with hand tool.

Beech is cheap here in 'merka too, it's just that it's considered a trash
wood and is more likely to find it's way to the firewood pile than the
lumberyard.  I can find 4/4 beech but thicker stock seems non-existent.