Material Buying Advice.

[Jeb-K]

Hi folks,

I'm new to the forums & woodworking in general. I was hoping to get some recommendations on national softwood suppliers that don't charge an arm & a leg. Or maybe any tips on how to save on material costs. I'm just starting out, so I want to keep a tight hold on the old budget.

I'm ideally looking a light colored wood source with a decent thickness, to make small storage boxes & frames.

Many thanks
Jeb

 

[swb58]

Wood doesn't come any cheaper than pallets if you keep your eyes open or find one of the many places who are only too pleased to give them away.

Some of the timber is surprisingly good and well worth the effort of reclamation.

 

[blackrodd]

+ 1 for above.
Pallet Pine, A good source of useful cheap timber to play with, as it isn't cheap to waste now.
Regards Rodders

 

[yetloh]

Pallets can be good, but if you want pristine stuff, your best bet is a good local timber merchant. If you know any local chippies ask them where they get theirs from; they will know who can be relied upon to supply good stuff at a sensible price. At all costs avoid the diy sheds - they seem to specialise in banana shaped timber without even being cheap.

Jim

 

[Jeb-K]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll definitely take them on-board and keep an eye out for pallet wood.

Kind regards,
Jeb

 

[sunnybob]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll definitely take them on-board and keep an eye out for pallet wood.

Kind regards,
Jeb

One of the few things I have learnt so far is that not all pallets are safe to use.
read this before spreading the dust all around.

http://www.1001pallets.com/pallet-safety/

 

[Owl]

One of the few things I have learnt so far is that not all pallets are safe to use.
read this before spreading the dust all around.

http://www.1001pallets.com/pallet-safety/

Very interesting and useful read.

 

[blackrodd]

Yes, Good information there, Well spotted.
Rodders

 

[Tetsuaiga]

I don't really use softwoods so can't recommend anything directly.

However do be careful, there are some sellers out there who sell far overprice, the worst is some of the ebay people but that's not the only place.

 

[cornishjoinery]

Best thing to do is go to a building site and get some offcuts. The more people that buy timber the more the price goes up for people that make their money from using it, for hobbyists you should always try to use reclaimed timber or offcuts etc.

 

[mindthatwhatouch]

keep an eye on the local classified/ free ads.
the odd bit of solid wood (usually pine)furniture comes up.

 

[Giff]

Not the cheapest but the same price PAR cut to size or random lengths, so you can reduce waste ? http://www.atlantictimber.co.uk