Sources for arrow shaft woods

[Ring-necked_Archer]

If this is in the wrong area please move it but I didn't know where to put it. I have the arrow plane from 3 rivers and was wondering where everyone gets their 3/8 square dowels from to use with it. I have no lumber yards near me only a Lowes and Home Depot and all they offer is an unmarked 3/8 square dowel which I think is pine. I have used it but would like some more options. I can order online other woods but would be at the mercy of the supplier for grain and knots as I wouldn't be able to look at it before it was shipped. I also have some shoots drying that I plan on using as well but was curious where everyone gets their 3/8 dowels

[durp]

Don't know if ur able to rip ur own but thats what I would do. 

[Orion]

Most everyone who dowels or planes wood square stock rips their own stock from boards. 

[Roy from Pa]

Get a poplar board from a lumber supply.

[Ring-necked_Archer]

Ok where does everyone get their boards? Like I said before I have Lowes and mine only stock standard lumber 2x4 2x6 etc. If I I want a specific wood I have to buy the boards online and everywhere I have looked there is no guarantee on grain on knots. So do I just bite the bullet and pay to have it shipped and hope that it is good?

[George Tsoukalas]

No knots, tight straight grained pine is my favorite for hand planing. I get mine from the box stores. You won't always find what you want you must walk away until you do.

I've also used poplar.

Jawge

[Pat B]

If there is a salvage company near by they might have spruce, fir or other used lumber or even old cabinets, etc. that can be made into shafting and they would be well seasoned for shafting. Like good bow wood, well seasoned stock makes better, more stable shafting.
 Also, if you buy new lumber let it acclimatize ti your area a few weeks before you cut it into blanks so it doesn't warp on you.

[rainman]

Look for a local saw mill, there should be some locally.  Even in St. Louis City we have a sawmill that uses locally cut trees and we get Ash, Osage, Hickory, and Maple. 

[Roy from Pa]

Poplar makes a decent arrow, not the heaviest shafting but makes a decent arrow.

I have seen poplar boards at my Home Depot here in SW Pa.

You want a 1/4 sawn board that has straight tight growth rings with no run outs.

You would need to look through all the boards they have and pick out the best one you can find, or maybe there won't be any there arrow worthy. Or a board that half of it will work for a dozen or so arrows.

[BAK]

You do need a certain amount of craftsmanship and tools to make any kind of headway.  And then you have to be quite picky as to which boards to buy.