{"id":2100,"date":"2016-12-11T04:00:05","date_gmt":"2016-12-11T09:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/?p=2100"},"modified":"2016-10-27T21:00:58","modified_gmt":"2016-10-28T01:00:58","slug":"visit-west-penn-hardwoods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/visit-west-penn-hardwoods\/","title":{"rendered":"Visit to West Penn Hardwoods"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In conjunction with other business taking me to North Carolina along the I-40 corridor I was finally able to visit the ultimate wood turners candy store, West Penn Hardwood<\/a>s, a turning blank and lumber supply company that is easily one of the largest wholesale and retail operations on the east coast if not in the entire country.<\/p>\n The name West Penn Hardwoods made more sense when they were actually located in southeastern Pennsylvania, but for reasons unknown to me, they relocated in 2015 to Conover, North Carolina<\/a>. I’ve heard that the new warehouses afford a great deal more space and perhaps real estate was cheaper as well. Whatever the reason, it brought one of my favorite suppliers of exotic hardwoods closer to home. To be sure, West Penn also sells domestic species but it is in the range of imported exotics that they really shine. I’ve done business with these folks for years and I have never been disappointed.<\/p>\n Immediately upon entering the parking lot one is confronted with stacks of imported exotic timber stacked outside like ordinary framing timber, but anyone remotely familiar with wood will know this is not SPF framing material! If you still aren’t sure, then the stencils on the sides that say “Gabon<\/a>” for country of origin will clue you in that you might be looking at Ebony, Sapele, Bubinga, who knows what delicious hardwood treat.<\/p>\nGabon Timber<\/h2>\n