British Hardwoods Online

[promhandicam]

My use use of the word "ignorant" was rash . . .

I'd therefore suggest you edit the title of your post to reflect this fact.

Steve

 

[big soft moose]

good idea prom - and perhaps big log could edit his post to remove the B&Q jibe at perran, Ive just edited mine to make it less critical of BH - group hug , group hug

 

[Big Log]

B&Q removed. Faith restored. Thanks.

 

[PerranOak]

My posts all edited.
Sensibilities restored.
All nice and beige.

 

[kityuser]

I must admit I`m rather confused.
I`m a "hobby" woodworker and aspire to some of the skill level displayed on this forum.
when the original pictures were posted, several people chipped in and recommended that the hobby pack was no better than firewood.

Now...... this is exactly the sort of thing I`d be interested/looking to buy.

so are we now saying that because big log is now a member that in actual fact the hobby pack wasn't utter crap? were the original posters hasty?

1 - 6 firewood Wink

That timber looks pretty ropey even for a hobby pack. I'd be pretty annoyed with that lot - it might keep your stove alight for a night or two though..

how on earth can British Hardwoods hold their heads up, after selling that pile of S**t as a hobby pack Shocked
I`ve burnt better pieces of wood than that load of tosh.

Its a bunch of crap, but pretty much what I would expect for £18 mail order.

now don't get me wrong, its not my intent to stir up trouble (thats why I haven't directly quoted people)........ I`m (as stated) an inexperienced woodworker still learning my hobby, it scares the hell out of me the prospect of going to a wood yard and either:
a) wasting money on buying crap
b) looking a complete fool for not knowing my arse from my elbow.

I expect "learning the ropes" will take time (and money), and as such I look to this forum for advice and guidance by more experienced folk.

to re-iterate, was the hobby pack a good purchase? or is it expensive firewood as stated by SEVERAL forum members.

the going back and editing of previous posts really does complicate this thread, quotes don't get edited, so for example the B&Q reference becomes very confusing (when quoted).

steve

 

[wizer]

My view of the original photos was that they were a little on the ropey side. Knots and Cracks. The sizes were also odd. They are obviously selling oddments rather than preparing timber for hobby use. IMHO a hobby pack should be PAR. The last thing a hobbiest buys is a planer\thicknesser and very few intend to prepare timber by hand. Their website is not very informative of what you actually get. It doesn't actually say whether it's PAR or Sawn. I think the price is fairly reasonable, even for what PerranOak got. But I'd like to see a lot more information on the website to help the hobbiest and also the option of PAR.

 

[kityuser]

wizer, thanks for the reply.

not trying to fan the flames... honest , I`d just like to know for future reference whether some of the more experienced members think this is a reasonable pack for the price? or as quoted "firewood".

I`m lucky, I do have my own P/T so maybe not as much of an issue for me.

I must admit in my own humble opinion, I didn't think it looked too bad, but then again I did assume it was going to be machined first.

so, possibly offcuts rather than machine "hobby" wood.

fair enough

Steve

 

[promhandicam]

I did close-ups as I thought it would help peole identify the grain, etc.

The pieces were about 4 to 5 feet long. Some were square "posts" about 4" wide, one was a board about 6" by 2" and a couple of pieces about 4x2.

Let's be clear:
1. I'm sure the wood is good quality - I'm no expert (that's the problem!)
2. I (naively it seems) assumed that "hobby" meant "for a person without a lot of heavy machinery".
3. If you have bandsaws and the like, the pieces would be no prob for you to use at all.
4. What upset me was the ignored emails.
5. I'm happy to accept that this was an abberation given that BHO sent me the blanks for identification AND offered to give me a refund AND to keep the wood.
6. The blanks for ID (that I planed and sanded) were very small as they were for identification purposes only.
7. I would buy from them again - if they'd take my order!

I think that this more or less answers your question. I don't think the original photos were properly representative of what Peran Oak received as they were close ups - all the photos show the ends of the timber which are likely to have some splits in wherever you buy from. The photos were purely intended for people to ID the wood. I was one of the people who said it looked like firewood and from the photos it does - but if they are 4 foot long then that changes things somewhat. At the end of the day, Peran Oak seemed to be happy - see point 7 above.

Steve

 

[kityuser]

I bet they're having a right laugh in the office about 'one of those hobby guys' who bought a load of offcuts and can't tell the difference between oak, walnut, and cherry. No offence intended, but remember that they deal in timber every day and will just assume that everyone knows. I doubt that they will have a record of what they sent you anyway. Every email you send will probably just amuse them more.

Exactly what I`m scared of....

I don't think the original photos were properly representative of what Peran Oak received as they were close ups - all the photos show the ends of the timber which are likely to have some splits in wherever you buy from

steve, thanks for the reply. I didn't reply to the OP because I didn't have a clue :roll: interesting that some people branded the whole lot as firewood without querying the dimensions.

I have no idea why, but I did interpret the photos as representing "long" planks, no idea why, just something I assumed I suppose.

as I said this is def something that I would consider buying for a few small projects (boxes and the like) so I`m interested in the consensus

ta

Steve

 

[PerranOak]

I too am confused. Posts I’ve read here are a lot more direct than mine was and use words far more offensive than the “i-word”. Why my post has been singled out, I don’t know. However, this is a community and I’ll abide by the rules/culture even if it’s rather “PC”. :roll:

The wood looks “ropey” (can I say that?) to me BUT as I’ve never bought wood before, except from B&Q (yes, it’s true! ) so I can’t tell if this is the norm :norm: or not. True, I pictured the ends as I thought the colour painted on them is some kind of clue. They are between, say, 4 and 5 feet long, most are “planks”. Nevertheless, one piece is not remotely square because it still has some bark on it, I think! Most seem sound underneath though. Some of them are very long and thin like posts, which, I guess, could be used for rails and runners? Another piece is about the thickness of the roof beams in my converted barn – a beautiful piece of (I think) oak but I can’t use it. It will sit in my shed awaiting a band saw … one day(!) :ho2

As I’ve said, I misunderstood the word “hobby”. I thought it would mean that the pieces, albeit odd shapes, sizes and species, would be suitable for someone without a load of “preparation machinery” – I have a handheld router, a sander and a drill! The reason I can’t use most of the wood is that I can’t rip it. I risked the £18 + delivery thinking that the pieces may be too short or a little damaged or something rather than be great hunks of wood – my mistake (what’s “PAR” mean, by the way? :duno: ). Maybe a local “place” will rip it for me but they will charge and that really belies the reason for a cheap deal. It’s true though, you do get a lot of wood for the money so it’s a case of, “Never mind the width, feel the quality.” :wink:

I’ve been miffed by the superiority (there I go again, where’s that thesaurus…) of some who obviously have no time for the beginner. THEY ARE A TINY MINORITY in this forum hence the reason I am happy to conform to the prevailing culture. Like you, kityuser, I aspire to improve but it is difficult to “get into” this whole area. The cost of tools is high – I bought cheap tools; they don’t work properly. Machines take-up space – I don’t have much. You’re told, “Decide what kind of things you want to make first!” – how can you when you’re at the very start? It’s like saying to a thirteen-year-old biology student what kind of Consultant Surgeon they want to be! :twisted:

My hastiness was PURELY concerning using the “i-word” about the lack of email response. I had forgotten that it was Easter-ish :-({|= and I am impatient with Internet firms that don’t reply VERY quickly to emails. I did try to retain the sense of my postings after castrating them(!) :-#

Personally, I wouldn’t buy a hobby pack but I wouldn’t let this experience stop me buying specific species and sizes from BHO if the price is right.

Having said that, in the intervening time, I felt forced to find another supplier. I went to a “local” yard and yes, I looked like a numpty at the start. :mrgreen: I just wanted to know some particulars such as what woods they had, what lengths/widths/thicknesses they could supply, whether it could be planed, what a typical cost was, etc. This was all so vague that they couldn’t really help. I suggested that I look around their stock. The guy was very helpful and I turned into a “kid in a candy shop”. =P~ The problem was, they could do ANYTHING! Any wood, any size, any amount any time, anything! Could they cut it to lengths that will go in my car? Yes! Therefore, I invented a project in my head and asked for a price for an oak board, 2mx20mmx150mm, just to get an idea. All in all, an embarrassing experience but well worth it!

 

[wizer]

PAR = Planed all round. Basically prepared ready to cut your joinery.

 

[kityuser]

I too am confused. Posts I’ve read here are a lot more direct than mine was and use words far more offensive than the “i-word”. Why my post has been singled out, I don’t know. However, this is a community and I’ll abide by the rules/culture even if it’s rather “PC”. :roll:

Perran, please don't think that in any way I`m singling you out.
I have infact found this thread very interesting and useful.

I am still somewhat confused by some peoples response. However if you are ultimately happy with what you got ... who cares! :wink:

I honestly didn't think it looked too bad for £18, I had assumed it needed machining, and I have no idea why, but I did assume the lengths were longer than pictured. Trouble is when everybody waded in saying how crap the stuff looked I was asking myself what I`d missed...........


I suppose its all down to experience. I`m a novice in wood, I`d have paid £18 for that, maybe I`m a mug because it isn't that cheap (if its not).....maybe

Interesting that they registered and posted on here as well.

Steve

 

[gidon]

PO - If you want to bring your wood to me, I can use my machinery to convert your hobby pack. PM me if you're interested and we can sort out a convenient time. I'm not exactly on your door step but I'm not too far away.
Cheers
Gidon

 

[NeilO]

I like Wizer (Tom) initially reacted to the posted piccies (been close-up) didnt give you a reasonable look at said wood, size wise.
I maybe did put my gob and fingers in before engaging the brain , and possibly said more than I should have, but take a look at the posted link to BH, earlier in this thread to their "Hobby packs" and you may see why I was so verbal..

but all`s well with said postees, and seeing the blanks BH sent Perran for ID purposes, I will give them a fair crack at the whip and maybe order a pack, not being a user of massive amounts of wood, I could just be pleasantly surprised.

glad to see companies willing to account for themselves in an open forum, so one up for Big Log and BHO.

 

[woodbloke]

I had a quick peek at the web site and thought it looked reasonable value (the Hobby Pack that is) What put me right off was the statement that their stuff is kilned, which is fine if you don't mind using timber that's had all the life sucked out of it, but for me air dried stuff is much better (and probably far cheaper) - Rob

 

[PerranOak]

Perran, please don't think that in any way I`m singling you out.

No, no way kityuser, I don't think that, I know you're not like that.

 

[PerranOak]

PO - If you want to bring your wood to me, I can use my machinery to convert your hobby pack. PM me if you're interested and we can sort out a convenient time. I'm not exactly on your door step but I'm not too far away.
Cheers
Gidon

Cheers mate, that's a very generous offer! This is what I mean about most people being excellent on this site.

I'll not put you to the trouble though, thank you anyway, my brother-in-law will take most of it and I'll keep the rest to "practice" on if I ever get a bandsaw.

Thank you again.

 

[kityuser]

but all`s well with said postees, and seeing the blanks BH sent Perran for ID purposes, I will give them a fair crack at the whip and maybe order a pack, not being a user of massive amounts of wood, I could just be pleasantly surprised.

me too I'll take a punt as well soon.

steve

 

[xy mosian]

Hi PerranOak,

Trying not to wade in.

Long before I had a (small) bandsaw or a hand held circular saw I used to , and still do for small lengths, rip cut with a hand saw. 24" x 10 or 12 teeth to the inch. The straight line is struck using either a long straight edge, a piece of knock down office walling frame, or a chalk line. OK it takes time, but it is relatively quiet and all the dust falls in one spot. The excersise alone is almost worth it, and the smell from some native species is tremendous.

xy

 

[PerranOak]

Cheers for that.

I guess if I cut it to length first then the ripping wouln't be so bad?

I've never actually hand-ripped hardwood before - I imagine it take quite some effort! Still, it would stop me getting too fat!!!