Hi,
The pics did not turn out too good because I did not know how to turn the flash off with the close up..
I hope you can see the grain.
You want to collate
heavy boards with straight grain with more focus on heavy. Density is more important that GPI, IMO. I don't pick pieces with less than 12 gpi as a rule. We had some that read 34 GPI ion a 5/4 plank and was real heavy yielding 11 oz 1" dowels @ 30". Some of those shafts at final will be 5 oz with my stiff spine parbolic taper @ 13MM.:shocked2:
Darrin went through 200 plank just to get 2 boards. Like Eric Crisp has posted here it would be impossible for a mill to deliver what a in the know cue maker needs for his stock as it is very sparse. You can't get good wood buying from a merchant. You must do the work.
I buy the kiln dried 5/4 stock from the UP and about every 3 month I get a board or two by cherry picking from a couple hundred. My stock is up to over 600 tapers at .950 and I still want more for the future.
Good Picking,
Rick
Cue Master Hill cutting in our shop.