Material and supply are split between two sources, each serving a different role in the build process.
Hardwood supplied at TH&H is S3S—surfaced three sides. Both faces are milled, and one edge is straight-line ripped. It is not flat or finished. Final flattening, jointing, and dimensioning are completed in the shop.
That starting point is deliberate. S3S allows the build to begin further into the milling process than rough stock would. It reduces initial breakdown time while still leaving full control over final surfaces and dimension.
The cost difference works in our favor. Rough lumber requires additional board footage to account for color mismatch, hidden defects, and unusable sections that only show after milling. It also carries more time in the shop to bring material to usable condition. S3S narrows that gap. Material is evaluated closer to its usable state at the rack, which improves yield and reduces unnecessary waste.
There are times when rough lumber is preferred, but it is not the default. S3S provides the right balance between efficiency and control for most builds.
White oak, quarter-sawn white oak, rustic grades, walnut, maple, hickory, and mahogany are pulled depending on the piece. Exotics move through in limited runs when required. Plywoods and reclaimed material are sourced there as inventory allows.
Boards are selected in person. Grain, color, and usable surface are evaluated at the rack with the full build in mind. When necessary, entire units are worked through to establish continuity across a panel. Boards are staged, compared, and restacked after selection. Layout is resolved before breakdown.
That level of access is not standard. It comes from consistency—regular presence, disciplined handling of material, and leaving units in a condition that does not create additional work for the yard. Boards are returned clean, stacks are maintained, and selection is done with control. That allows for the time and space required to pull material at the level needed.
TH&H also runs periodic expos. Tooling, finishes, and materials are introduced directly by manufacturers. It’s a direct line into current developments without relying on secondhand information.
Rockler San Diego fills the rest. Finishes, hardware, tooling, and shop infrastructure are sourced there. Router bits, clamps, dust collection components, hoses, fittings, and hand tools are pulled as needed. The shop’s first table saw came from there. Routers and a router table setup were sourced there as well.
It’s also where immediate needs are handled. If something is required mid-build—an additional clamp, a specific fitting, a replacement bit—it’s picked up and put into use.
There’s overlap in the local network. Some of the staff are part of the San Diego fine woodworking community. Conversations at the counter turn into project discussions, tooling recommendations, and shared shop observations. It’s informal, but consistent.
Together, the two cover the full range. TH&H defines the material before the build starts. Rockler supports the work as it moves through the shop.