Timber Suppliers

[Lonsdale73]

When it comes to buying timber, should I expect something a bit better from a builders' merchant than the likes of B&Q?

 

[Alexam]

Far better wherever you go. B & Q are only for the stop gap, so search the forum for good timber suppliers like Sykes Timber that I go to. Very accomodating and always a large shed of offcuts in different stacks all priced.
Malcolm

 

[Lonsdale73]

I'm wondering if it's possible to buy timber that's free from cupping, bowing, twisting and warping?

 

[MattRoberts]

I'm wondering if it's possible to buy timber that's free from cupping, bowing, twisting and warping?

Bear in mind that wood is continually moving as the seasons change, as well as the environment the wood sits in. What might be straight and flat now might not be in a month or two.

The best bet is to hand pick timber from a merchant, then let it rest in the environment it will eventually live in

 

[YorkshireMartin]

I'm wondering if it's possible to buy timber that's free from cupping, bowing, twisting and warping?

The short answer is no. As Matt said, it's a natural product. B&Q etc stand their timber on end, they also frequently wrap packs of it in plastic, which just makes the whole situation worse. Their plastic wrapped packs are always full of condensation, that is BAD. Thats the worst possible thing you could do with wood, short of setting it on fire.

The long answer is different.

A good timber merchant will store the stock horizontally, properly supported, and the timber will be thoroughly dried at a standard temperature and level of humidity. Kiln drying (as you'll find in B&Q/Wickes etc) is fast, but as a result, the timber will react. Air dried is the best, but even if you source this, you still need to let it acclimatise before use. Air dried may also cost more as it takes quite a long time to do, circa 2 years I think, for green oak to usable.

If I'm making something to go into the house, I'll get the wood from the merchant and store it in comparable conditions for 2 to 3 months, 4 or 5 in winter, due to central heating. After that, I'll plane it down square as I figure the worst of the movement is usually over with.

It all depends on the type of wood, the environment its stored in vs. destination, how it's stored and the intended use.

It's a science in itself, one very worthy of intensive study before even picking up a saw or chisel.

It's worth bearing in mind that my local timber merchant store their stock end on (at point of sale - not in the yard), they support their sheet materials poorly, and frankly, I'm not even sure how they stay in business because it just works against everything I've learned. I've been very disappointed in both the sheet materials and timber I've had from them, stock eventually banana'd, sheet materials warped, plus its not cheap at all. They aren't exactly a small company either, but my knowledge isn't enough to pick them up on any particular points definitively.