Wood Specimen Kits Update

Gary Green 6654L

When I took over as chairman for the Kits program in 2011 I filled orders at a slow but steady pace. At that time, we had a short list of “Members Only Specials” with unusual and hard to find species selling at $5.00US each. In2013 the late Ian McLaughlin from Australia asked if I had interest in specimens from the Dadswell collection for the Members Only Specimens. Ian and his crew of volunteers prepared and sent hundreds of very nice and sought-after specimens that sold quickly.

Then, so it went as usual until 2020 when Covid 19 hit and work-from-home individuals put us into record sales. This gradually tapered off into very slow sales until member Nick Engler gave a shout out to the IWCS on one of his Workshop Companion YouTube videos, “Hardwoods and Softwoods”. Many new members ordered the 80 piece kit. Thanks Nick!

I prepared hundreds of specimens for the Kits over winter 2025 – 2026, thinking that we’d never run out in my lifetime. Wrong! Because many of the species have been supplied by members from different parts of the world, I now find myself able to fill only two more orders of 80 piece Kits. I need wood or nicely finished and accurately sized and identified specimens of the following species. Ten plus, up to 50 of each are desired.

I’m set up to prepare specimens pretty efficiently, so if preparing the finished specimens is a problem you can just send the wood. I will entertain adding new species, especially those uncommon or rare enough for our Members Only Specials. These sell for $5 each.

This is a very worthwhile program for the IWCS with the sale of an 80 piece Kit underwriting $200 of our operating expenses. We should all be keen on keeping this program viable.

Ship to or make inquiries at Gary Green, 9923 N 800 E, Syracuse, IN 46567, USA. 574-457-5471. [email protected]

Following is the list of specimens with five or fewer left in stock: