Allen, here is a suggestion for you. I live in a small city. We have several custom cabinet
manufacturers. A couple of them use some pretty exotic woods.
I don't know how big the city is that you live in, may not be worth the drive.
Some use an assortment of wood. They have fairly large cut offs. Most don't mess about keeping small pieces that they will never use. They go into the dumpster.
Seek out a few where ever you are and ask them to keep the cut offs for you. Heck, most will have enuff in their garbage bins to keep you going for some time.
If they are willing to help you out, at the end of the year at Christmas time, buy them a couple of bottles. That will give them incentive to save a few pieces for you.
I know you are into turning pens. Most will have some maple, oak, mahogany, birch, at the very least. One of the companies in town use some pretty wild stuff.
I haven't approached any of these guys myself but if you ask nicely, you will receive.
The reason that I know this is because I have a friend that is a professional furniture refinisher and repairman. He had already talked to a friend of his in the cabinet business and was told that all I had to do is come down and scavenge.
The woods that I have mentioned are basic cabinet woods. I was told that these locals use woods such as tulip wood and beyond.
Check out mill shops that make custom furniture. You will be sure to find a few scraps there as well.
Hoping that they make some ebony cabinets and I can get some scraps. Hahaha. 2x2 by 18 to be exact.
