readily available uk wood?

[Agrue]

I'm just getting started with making things, and the bit I'm struggling most with is knowing what to ask for /look at at a timber yard. I'm after some fairly cheap wood so it doesn't matter if I make mistakes, and I'm planning to start off making things for my garage which don't have to be pretty.

What would people recommend please? I've tried asking at the lumber yard but they look at me as if I'm an idiot. My searches online have mostly come up with american results, and I can't find the wood they mention as it's regional.

I'm happy to cut down larger boards and plane them myself, I just need to know where to start. I've got some super cheap construction lumber but it's too soft for benches and things.

Any advice please?

 

[sunnybob]

youre approaching this from the wrong end. But a decent wood that will be liked by your family when you get it right. If it goes pear shaped, try making something smaller from the elft over bits. If that is bad, go smaller again.
Everything you do is a learning curve. The thing that will deter you most is to get something right and then say "oh, I wish I'd used better wood".

The next step is what do you want to make? Cabinets or tables can be mostly made out of 12 mm ply with soft wood corner frames and braces.

if you feel up to making a bench that will last, use Beech for all the visible bits. Its what the professionals use most for benches and chairs. I really like beech.
Cherry is good too. I cant advise on price as I dont live in the UK, but go for planks about 22 mm thick and you can cut that down to most shapes fairly easily.

 

[novocaine]

we don't have lumber in the UK. that's an american term. here we have wood or timber. the right honorable Paul Sellers gives some god tips here.

https://paulsellers.com/2013/02/buying- ... in-the-uk/

oh and nothing wrong with "construction timber" for making benches that last just fine, I'll get lamboned for saying it but a work bench is just that, you should be able to knock it about without having to be concerned about it.

 

[ED65]

Scots pine AKA redwood would make a superior starter wood but any readily-available softwood would be acceptable to practice on TBH. This has been standard advice since books written for beginners in the late 1800s so no need to buck the trend

 

[ED65]

I've got some super cheap construction lumber but it's too soft for benches and things.

No it really isn't. This is a judgement call, what you're saying here is you think it's too soft for benches and the like which is fair enough as it is your call. But in reality there are now many thousands of pieces made from wood of this quality (or lack thereof!) so it has rather proved itself.

 

[Agrue]

Scots pine AKA redwood would make a superior starter wood but any readily-available softwood would be acceptable to practice on TBH. This has been standard advice since books written for beginners in the late 1800s so no need to buck the trend

perfect thanks, this is what I was looking for. I just wanted to know what to ask for to get me started.

 

[sunnybob]

My work bench is a square iron frame with flooring chipboard on top, but then another layer of T&G softwood. When it gets really messy with cuts dings and paint spills, I just power plane it down and start all over again.
One day I might make a decent bench, but as I'm the only one looking at it, what I have is just fine.

 

[novocaine]

My work bench is a square iron frame with flooring chipboard on top, but then another layer of T&G softwood. When it gets really messy with cuts dings and paint spills, I just power plane it down and start all over again.
One day I might make a decent bench, but as I'm the only one looking at it, what I have is just fine.

mines CLS from B&Q (how very dare I use such cheap nasty wood). it has through mortise joinery and wedge mortises on the top. it has a layer of 3mm mdf on the top to one side because I do more than woodwork on it. it's heavy, rock solid and cost less than 30 quid to make (excluding my time). it's perfect as a first timers bench, because it's cheap and it teaches you lots of different techniques that become important as you continue through your wood working life with more expensive bits of timber. so much so that I'm far from a beginner yet I made it again only bigger when I moved. as I said, construction timber is fine for a bench. but hay, it's your call.

and now I get to show this picture again.

The bench by David Rees, on Flickr

 

[thetyreman]

yes redwood PAR pine, stick with that, perfect for learning on, get better quality from a wood merchant than the big stores and you will pay less.

 

[bugbear]

My searches online have mostly come up with american results, and I can't find the wood they mention as it's regional.

Search tip - if you add
site:uk
when searching, you'll only get results from sites that end in ".uk". That should at least reduce the amount of Americana you pick up.

BugBear

 

[sunnybob]

I "found" my metal frame about 6 years ago. It worked well when I was working on motorcycles and metal. When I shifted to wood upon retirement, I just added the T&g top and there isnt a single joint in any of the wood on it apart from the T&G on the top layer. I often think it would be good to build a bench, but as this one will never wear out, it just aint gonna happen.

i think I'm the cheapest cheapskate on here when it come to workshop stuff (lol).

 

[xy mosian]

When I need to use softwood, cost, convenience or final owner request. I go to the local Timber merchants, when the trades folk have been for the day, and ask for joinery quality softwood. I get to pick the bits I want, from the racks and often get it cut to fit the car, length, or sometimes to final length.
xy