Buying small amounts of hardwood

[xraymtb]

Hi

A friend of mine came across an end-grain chopping board online made from Maple and asked if I would be able to reproduce it for her.

I unthinkingly said yes, looking forward to my first adventures in hardwood, but now I wonder where to get the timber from?

As it's only going to be a small (18"x12") board I would be a bit embarrassed to go near one of the local hardwood mills near here (Edinburgh) and ask for such a small amount. Is there anywhere else to get small pieces? Or will I need to get a larger amount and store it until I need it again? My local timber merchant only does building type materials (pine and sheet goods).

Thanks

 

[Slim]

Hi Mike,

Don't be embarressed. I quite often go to big hardwood suppliers and only come back with one board. They usually have a small order charge of about 15-20%, which shows they don't mind.

If you still don't want to, you could try ebay. Although this will be more expensive.

 

[Karl]

Try e-bay. You'll pay more per cube, but if you only need a bit it will be cheaper overall.

Cheers

Karl

Edit - Slim beat me to it.

 

[opener]

Hi Mike
Why not try your local joinery shop or furniture maker and ask if they have any offcuts you could buy.
Cheers
Malcolm

 

[BradNaylor]

Hi Mike
Why not try your local joinery shop or furniture maker and ask if they have any offcuts you could buy.
Cheers
Malcolm

That's your best idea, Mike.

Most cabinetmakers will have a big stash of offcuts from previous jobs, a few of which which they would be delighted to convert into a few 'beer vouchers'!

Just don't think about whipping out a credit card! :lol:

 

[brianhabby]

Hi Mike,

If you go the eBay route check out Gibson Hardwoods. A small husband and wife team who specialise in supplying very small quantities of hardwoods for crafts people & hobbyists. I've used them and can vouch for them.

Their Ebay ID is tjg1949.

regards

Brian

 

[Nick Gibbs]

Sorry to sound thick, but how do you find Gibson Hardwoods on eBay? My search brought up nothing?

Cheers

Nick

 

[motownmartin]

Try this Link Nick

 

[Nick Gibbs]

Interesting. I'm watching an item and may buy it: you may find it in the mag soon as a project!!!! I hope that won't be too anecdotal for some people (see another current thread!).

I can't say this is how I'd imagine buying wood normally. I prefer to rootle around a timberyard, building up a small stock of boards for future projects. I also favour the use of British timber (obviously!), not just because of the name of our magazine, but because I want to encourage the market for British timber.

I'll be interested to see how the bidding and purchase goes.

Cheers

Nick

 

[motownmartin]

There is also Yorkshire Oak Supplies

 

[p111dom]

Mike, Scottich Hardwoods up at Inzivar woods near Oakley have self selection so you can just go in and pick anything you want. It's all individually priced so there's no need to worry. The guy who runs it is call Jim, he's really good and it's an interesting place if you haven't been before. That's for anything locally grown. For US stock I go to Burhouse up at Perth.

http://www.scottishwood.co.uk/

I had loads of trouble finding hardwood stockists at all when I moved up here. Where do you currently buy your stock from?

 

[Lord Nibbo]

When I need a very small amount of wood I don't bother with timber/wood merchants.

Try small builders merchants they are likely to have bins of offcuts and only to happy to sell it.

 

[patrickbaxter]

Mike,

if you are still looking for small quantities of hardwood try

www.lanarkshirehardwoods.co.uk

I have to confess to some self interest in this business. Lanarkshire hardwoods is only half an hour drive west of Edinburgh and specialises in locally sourced timbers in small ( and very small!) quantities to the diy / amateur user. You can browse around the timber store and look through all the offcuts from the adjoining furniture making business (not given away for nothing though I'm afraid!)

Patrick

 

[toolsntat]

http://mactimbers.co.uk/

Never had ought off him but he was at an event last week and has a nice selection of allsorts...

 

[doorboy]

If I were in your shoes, I would go down to the Bow Bar and think about it for a good long while.
Seriously though, if you have to get more than you need you'll end up making more than one cutting board. It's a fun project and they're pretty nice to have and give as gifts. Check out the WoodWhisperer for a cool one.
Make sure the maple is hard maple and not soft.

 

[motownmartin]

http://mactimbers.co.uk/

Never had ought off him but he was at an event last week and has a nice selection of allsorts...

Whereabouts is this fella, is he out Maket Harborough way :?: might be worth a visit

 

[toolsntat]

Its all there in t web Martin
:wink: :wink:
http://mactimbers.co.uk/contactus.html

I think the next open day type gubbins is at the beginning of June and all being well I might take a ride up.....