Where to source 6x6x96” solid wood posts for turning into porch columns?

[mudrat2]

For lathe work on a small budget, two posts in ground with large steel pins pointed on one end through the posts. Mount the blank between the pins. Spin with a rope wrapped around the blank and use a chainsaw to carve a groove at one end. Now use a loop of belt, rope, braded bailer twine, etc. to drive off of a motor. Rough out the shape using chainsaw, then circular saw. Finish with belt or disk sander.

Look at some ideas here:
http://www.projectgridless.ca/2017/11/five-ways-to-make-off-grid-wood-lathe.html
https://www.farmshow.com/a_article.php?aid=15615

 

[oldercut]

In my area there is a company that sells reclaimed cedar from power
poles. You might inquire your local utility and see what they do with
their poles. Except for the butts, they are not treated.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

In my area there is a company that sells reclaimed cedar from power
poles. You might inquire your local utility and see what they do with
their poles. Except for the butts, they are not treated.

Seems they would be soaked in creosote and full of rocks and imbedded objects

 

[diver64]

Seems they would be soaked in creosote and full of rocks and imbedded objects

Down this way they are not using creosote anymore. All are pressure treated

 

[les-or-more]

Seems they would be soaked in creosote and full of rocks and imbedded objects

They are getting few and far between up here now but the cedar poles here were untreated, they took one out of the front lawn about 5 years ago it was heavily weathered and gray as can be but no sign what so ever of any kind of treatment. The 100 plus year old house was sitting on three cedar posts until I poured concrete pads and put jack posts in to support the center beam, one of them has already rusted off and been replaced.