timber in Buckinghamshire

[vala]

Hello all,

Been lurking around the forum for a while now and hope this is the place to be for any woodworking queries I may have. I'm looking to build a coffee table out of hardwood and was hoping there could be other members here who would be able to advise on a number of possible merchants I could use in the Buckinghamshire area?
I've found a few online however these are often for the trade and require larger quantity orders then I need so looking for places which could provide in smaller amounts.

Thanks

 

[custard]

Quite a drive from Bucks, but if you're serious about your project and can face the M25 then Surrey Timbers is an outstanding retailer. They have a superb selection of timber that you can look through at your leisure, and one board or a truck load the service and assistance is always first rate.

 

[vala]

custard - thanks for the reply. I'll be sure to have a gander at there website and send them an e-mail. Not too fussed with the drive if it's worth getting exactly what I want.
Many thanks for the suggestion.

 

[cutting42]

A bit closer with a smaller selection is Chiltern Timber http://catalogue.chilterntimber.co.uk/ in Hemel Hempstead. Quite happy for you to wander around and pick the decent stuff. I have had nice Walnut and Maple from them in the past.

 

[thick_mike]

I got small amounts of maple and walnut from Kensworth Sawmill. They do others too...

http://www.kensworthsawmills.co.uk

You can combine with a visit to Whipsnade zoo which is just down the road!

 

[flounder]

Hi Vala, Have you tried Dave Kinns in Cranfield? He is not open at weekends but has a good selection of european and american hardwoods and will mill it for you too.

 

[WellsWood]

How about Deep in Wood up near Oxford? Specialises in locally sourced hardwoods, happy to sell small quantities, very helpful and a very nice chap to boot. Can't be all that far from you either.

 

[Tony Spear]

And of course, if travelling isn't a problem there's always S L Hardwoods in Croydon.

 

[vala]

Everyone - many thanks for all the recommendations. Plan is to work them out from nearest to furthest and work my way through the list. Looks like I shouldn't be short of finding what I'm looking for!

 

[Howie]

Hi Vala
I live about 5 miles north of Milton Keynes and have been meaning to pay these guys a visit since moving here a few months ago. Can't vouch personally for them but they certainly seem to have lot's of nice hardwoods to choose from.
Nether Heyford is just off junction 16 on the M1.
http://www.goodtimber.com/cgi-bin/build/index.html
Howie

 

[woodcrafter]

I always start with identifying which wood I want to work with. The colour, the grain, what the budget will allow, how quickly the finished piece needs to be produced. Once I know what I want, and how much of it, I go off and find it. I like working with exotic hardwoods and usually import timber from USA based suppliers. There are many who are prepared to package and ship wood to the UK, yes it is pricey (cost of wood, shipping, import duty, VAT), but the choice of handsome woods is amazing. Most will supply nice dry boards, some will plane down to your required thickness or put matched sets together for you.
I bought some fabulous curly cherry from a fabulously helpful chap in Ohio - some of the best stuff I have ever seen with amazing 3D curl and lovely colours in it too. He sent me copious photos of the boards, packaged them securely, arranged the shipping, sent me a tracking number, and even wrote them up for customs purposes as 'shelving' with a value of $75, thus avoiding import duty!
In the UK, Timberline of Tonbridge, Kent, probably have one of the best collections of hardwoods and exotics in the UK - just a drive round the M25 from Bucks. Nice helpful people too. www.exotichardwoods.co.uk
But before you jump in the car and head off to Kent, spoil yourself by taking a peek at the fabulous timber available at, for example, www.irionlumber.com
C.

 

[Rhossydd]

usually import timber from USA based suppliers. There are many who are prepared to package and ship wood to the UK, yes it is pricey (cost of wood, shipping, import duty, VAT)

Interesting.
What sort of costs are you having to pay for packing, shipping and duty ?
I understand that it's going to be variable with the amount ordered, and whether you're couriering it rather than shipping, but can you offer any sort idea please ?

TIA

 

[Woodchips2]

I've had some decent timber from Andy Harrison in Kettering http://www.aharrisonwoodturning.co.uk/Contact.html.
Regards Keith

 

[John15]

Hi Vala,
Howie mentioned Good Timber near Northampton earlier in the thread. I've been there today and bought some nice oak. They have a good stock of various hardwoods and the guy there was extremely helpful in showing their stock.
Cheers,
John

 

[woodcrafter]

The costs of importing timber from USA dealers, sawmills, or even individuals varies really widely which makes it very hard to give any realistic or accurate guide. If you have an idea of the hardwood you would like to use for your project then you will find that in the US there are suppliers which specialize in certain species. If you want really good, interestingly figured maple, cherry, walnut, or central/south American exotics then there are companies which specialize in all of these. So it is probably best to decide what you want in terms of wood species, figure how much of it you need, what thickness you need, whether you want it dry, planed or sawn, then look online for dealers which are advertising stocks of what you seek. Once you find someone then email them asking if they well ship overseas. Actually, you could also look on American ebay for timber (lumber) - you may be surprized by the quality of what is offered.
In the USA you will find dealers specializing in huge table top sizes of walnut, even dealers specializing in a particular type of walnut such as claro or paradox/Bastogne (http://siouxdentalhealth.com/home), http://www.curlymaple.com/ has the most gorgeous collection of amazingly figured curly maple, Hearne Hardwoods have an amazing collection of beautiful stuff, Diamond Tropical Hardwoods do superb exotics such as cocobolo and goncalo alves - exquisite timber. I have bought quite a lot of timber from Kevin at Diamond Tropical over the years and have always been thoroughly delighted with what he sends me. Other dealers specialise in mesquite, koa, parota, redwood (rare now but blooming gorgeous if you can get first growth) ... the list is practically unending.
Be warned, once you start looking at what wonders are available from across the pond, you will be hooked. I am!
If you like I can post some images of furniture I have made from wood I imported from America. my designs may not be your cup of tea but the woods I have had the pleasure of working with are impressive, and nigh on impossible to get here in the UK at sensible money.
Spoil yourself by visiting www.ancientwood.com - a north east USA based dealer in kauri - the world's oldest, most fascinating, and perhaps most beautiful wood - think shimmering cognac. Robert, the boss of Ancientwood is another really helpful guy who will happily ship his timber to you, but be prepared to remortgage your home - the best is not cheap!
C.