Woodworking Industry News Lumber business becomes
Post# of 4861
By Robert Dalheim February 12, 2020 | 10:06 am EST
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Southern California-based Reel Lumber Service says it is the first company in the world to stock Hempwood, the now-famous reverse-engineered wood substitute.
"Reel Lumber Service is honored to be the first company in the world to stock HempWood," Reel Lumber said in a press release. "We believe this eco-friendly alternative to traditional lumber WILL revolutionize the industry. Unlike hardwood lumber it only takes 120 or so days to take a hemp seed all the way to cultivation!"
Reel Lumber Service is a fourth-generation family-owned lumber business founded in 1932. The company runs four locations and stocks more than 40 species of lumber.
This table was crafted by Brandon Munoz at Monkwood Studio out of Hempwood. It was displayed at a February 7 mystery product reveal at Reel Lumber's Anaheim location.
HempWood leader Greg Wilson's 15,600-square-feet factory officially opened for business in Kentucky last August. Hempwood offers significant advantages over traditional lumber, including a higher availability, a much quicker grow time of five to six months, and a 20 percent higher density. It can be used in furniture, flooring, and other woodworking projects.
Hempwood was our biggest online story over the entire year of 2019.
"We're taking something that grows in six months and we're able to able to replicate, if not out perform, a tropical hardwood that grows in 200 years," Wilson said.
"Unlike hardwood trees, that take 30 years to grow, hemp only takes five months," says Reel Lumber's Danny Clark. "Essentially the hemp is grown and harvested, turned into bushels and then soaked in protein based glue and then placed in a large press and heated to the proper temperature. The customer is left with a lumber board that may be used for any interior purpose."
Builders (left to right) Joanie Sprague, Justin of Justin Woodwork, and Brandon Munoz of Monkwood Studio showed off their Hempwood builds at a February 7 mystery product reveal event at Reel Lumber's Anaheim location.
HempWood is available in blocks, pre-sawn boards, flooring, and finished products such as cutting boards and skateboards. A 4/4 x 5-1/4" x 4' board is $29.99.
Industrial hemp production has sparked massive interest around the country. New associations are being formed and new expositions and events are taking place.
Let us know what you think.
This article incorrectly stated that Hempwood is available at prices lower than oak.
https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodw...k-hempwood
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