Earthquake in Chile and Other Natural Events That Affect Our Materials Supply

[Kevin]

I'm not trying to start a lengthy discussion that I'm no expert on, but I really wanted to kind of alert my fellow woodworkers to cost jumps that are happening and are not going to stop anytime soon. 
I am in the building materials supply industry (which has been in the toilet for a couple of years anyway) and getting information about material supplied from Chile.
They are one of the biggest suppliers of radiata in the world. This is a pretty major thing because that's what a lot of jamb material and interior trim is made from. I guess it's pretty similar to eastern white pine, but cheaper. Anyway - obviously the earthquake has pretty much put a kink in the works as far as materials being harvested from that area.
Another issue we're dealing with is the fact that despite what the global warming faith proclaims, this has been one of the coldest and wettest winters in a long time. It's made getting forests logged very difficult, so everything else is also probably going to jump (i.e. plywoods).
It's not like I'm trying to create some kind of emergency out there like people rushing to the store to buy milk and bread. I really just wanted to alert you guys to some facts that are STRONGLY affecting and GOING TO affect costs (and supply also) for the forseeable future.
If you have an interior trim project going or being planned - you might want to go ahead and take care of getting your materials.
KregRep - if this is not something appropriate for the site, please delete.
I know everybody here are the people that help keep the retail building materials business going and I just wanted to help them have some more information to guide them in their purchasing decisions.
thanks.

[Edward Jocque]

You are a jerk!!

You are worried about your precious wood for your pet projects and disregard the lives lost in a devastating earthquake. I just joined the "Kreg Family" and I think I will abandon the group if this is is the attitude of the people who are in it. I have family in Chile and luckily they are safe and uninjured.

If you are an example of the people who use Kreg products, I am embarrassed to be a woodworker.

The only thing you are an expert in is being an asshole.

If I have to spend a few dollars more because of a terrible event in any country, so be it. If you can't afford it and are unwilling to pay it, find a new pastime.

[Kevin]

Listen, bud...
I shouldn't even waste my time dignifying this with a response.
This was not meant to be insensitive.
This was about business and the effect this earthquake had on economic matters.
That's all it was.
These same matters are addressed in newspapers and trade magazines everywhere.
I think you're reading me and what I said the wrong way.
I do not belittle the hardship this has caused to anybody. If you read the entire post, you'd also see that I was talking about more than just the earthquake. I think you're just looking for somebody to argue with and be hateful to.
This was simply an alert to my fellow woodworkers of events that have occurred and how those events are affecting our livelihoods and hobby.
If you want to take it that way - knock yourself out.
God bless you and have a wonderful day.

Edward Jocque said:

You are a jerk!!

You are worried about your precious wood for your pet projects and disregard the lives lost in a devastating earthquake. I just joined the "Kreg Family" and I think I will abandon the group if this is is the attitude of the people who are in it. I have family in Chile and luckily they are safe and uninjured.

If you are an example of the people who use Kreg products, I am embarrassed to be a woodworker.

The only thing you are an expert in is being an asshole.

If I have to spend a few dollars more because of a terrible event in any country, so be it. If you can't afford it and are unwilling to pay it, find a new pastime.

[KregRep]

Edward, lets please keep the conversation civil. Kevin's post regarding the effect of the earthquake on wood supplies does not indicate in any way a lack of consideration for the obviously far more important human aspect of this tragedy. He's simply bringing up one aspect of the issue which he thought was uniquely interesting to this group. While you may not agree with his approach, I'd ask you to please respond in a respectful manor, and immediately cease with the name-calling. In this community we will often disagree, and maybe even sometimes dislike, but we must learn to do so in a civil manor.

If you have any other questions to this regard, please feel free to PM me.

Thank You,
KregRep

[Kim C]

Kevin,
Thank you for your insightful and informative post. I appreciate you taking the time to share this information with us.
I actually do have two rooms I am going to trim out within the coming weeks. I had read an article in The Family Handiman about using ripped down MDF for trim work. I am not familiar with MDF much because I have mainly worked with solid wood. Will it be affected as well? And is this a cost-effective way to trim a room?
I have watched the Kreg videos on using pocket hole joinery for trim work and am very excited to see the difference it makes.
Again, thank you for your time as I am sure, like most here in this community, your time is valuable.

[Kevin]

Yes ma'am...from what I am hearing, MDF products are also going to be affected.
It is a cost effective material to use for interior trim...although I don't think I would like it in an area where it might be exposed to moisture (like a basement or a garage). There is actually an MDF window stool also - but I don't think I'd use it there if somebody gave it to me. Any moisture near this stuff makes it swell up. Another material you may want to look into are finger joint white pine boards if you'd rather use a wood product. FJ boards are probably roughly twice the cost of the MDF.
I love MDF for the paintability of the product. One thing that is an issue to me with MDF is how difficult it is to use a nail gun on it and still be able to putty the holes so it paints up nice. Sometimes shooting nails into it causes it to almost pucker out away from the hole. Sorry. I think I'm rambling again.
I'm not sure exactly what kind of trim job you're going to tackly, but I think if you're looking at doing a wainscoting with it MDF will be a great choice and considering it routs like a dream you'll be able to add those little custom touches also if you want.
Have a great day.
-Kevin

Kim C said:

Kevin,
Thank you for your insightful and informative post. I appreciate you taking the time to share this information with us.
I actually do have two rooms I am going to trim out within the coming weeks. I had read an article in The Family Handiman about using ripped down MDF for trim work. I am not familiar with MDF much because I have mainly worked with solid wood. Will it be affected as well? And is this a cost-effective way to trim a room?
I have watched the Kreg videos on using pocket hole joinery for trim work and am very excited to see the difference it makes.
Again, thank you for your time as I am sure, like most here in this community, your time is valuable.

[Kim C]

Thanks! I had read in the article not to use it around moisture. I have to put new baseboard trim in two remodeled rooms. Like most projects, it has turned into me wanting to just put new baseboards everywhere to match it. So I was looking to something cheaper. The article also mentions the puckering when using a nail gun. (Sounds like you could have written that article) One solution to the moisture problem it mentions on baseboards is to seal the underside well and use toe molding. Do you think this would allow me to use it in a tiled foyer or half bath? (I do plan on mopping the tile)

[Kevin]

I guess the simple answer to the question would be that it's used that way all the time, day in and day out in new home construction. I would seriously doubt much of that sealing of the bottom of it goes on with the biggest builders, but I would imagine it could only help (anything to keep that porous stuff from wicking up moisture). I think if it were me, I would prefer the finger joint version in a bathroom like you mentioned. One thing you might consider (even though it just adds back into the cost) would be putting a thin bead of clear silicone down in front of the base and then putting your shoe molding in front of that (or even putting the silicone in front of the shoe), then your trim should be fine.

Kim C said:

Thanks! I had read in the article not to use it around moisture. I have to put new baseboard trim in two remodeled rooms. Like most projects, it has turned into me wanting to just put new baseboards everywhere to match it. So I was looking to something cheaper. The article also mentions the puckering when using a nail gun. (Sounds like you could have written that article) One solution to the moisture problem it mentions on baseboards is to seal the underside well and use toe molding. Do you think this would allow me to use it in a tiled foyer or half bath? (I do plan on mopping the tile)

[Kim C]

That's a great idea! I don't think much moisture would get to it anyway except for an accident. The silicone would be great insurance. Thanks for your time!

[Kevin]

yes ma'am. no problem. it's good to have folks to talk to.


Kim C said:

That's a great idea! I don't think much moisture would get to it anyway except for an accident. The silicone would be great insurance. Thanks for your time!