looking for cheap harwood

[jignesh111]

hi guys i'm looking for some cheap hardwood so i can finish off my bookcase any ideas?? thanks

 

[Ironballs]

Whereabouts are you and what kind of hardwood are you after?

 

[Oryxdesign]

I think everybody on here would like some cheap hardwood! Put me down for a cube

 

[big soft moose]

I think everybody on here would like some cheap hardwood! Put me down for a cube

I sorted out my workshop today and ive lots of cubes - trouble is most of them are about 1" x 1" x 1" - shall i put one in the post :lol:

 

[Oryxdesign]

Are they Par?

 

[9fingers]

If they are anything like my offcuts, they will be well below par :lol:

Bob

 

[WellsWood]

I think everybody on here would like some cheap hardwood! Put me down for a cube

Morgans in Rochester have still got a lot of that English Ash they want shot of. Mostly 2" boards, but some 1 1/4", widths vary around 6-9".

£9.60ish (no that's not a typo) per cubic foot plus vat - you can't buy sawn softwood for that. Well I can't anyway.

 

[9fingers]

That's is ridiculously cheap Mark.

Is there anything wrong with it? Surely they could shift that at twice the price with ease?
Almost worth travelling for from where I am!
Bob

 

[WellsWood]

That's is ridiculously cheap Mark.

Is there anything wrong with it? Bob

Isn't it just.

TBH Bob, it's the only Ash I've ever used so I can't say how it compares to other stock. I've found it a bit tricky to work, there's a fair bit of movement once resawn etc. and the grain tends to be all over the place so planing without tearout is, well challenging frankly, but worth the perseverance for the lovely character. I've also found it to be pretty merciless on edge tools, seems to be much more abrasive than I expected, but that may be normal for Ash. Wastage isn't too bad considering, and needs careful sorting due to variation in colour, but at the price is of little consequence.

 

[9fingers]

I've not noticed it being hard on tools but the grain can be a bit wild.

Needs great care routing grooves - can get pulled off track by the grain.
Dual fences advisable IME.

I've made a tambour bookcase from ash that I'm pleased with.

Bob

 

[Oryxdesign]

I did ring them about that Mark, not sure if they're saving it for you but on the phone they told me it had a lot of worm damage.

Simon

 

[WellsWood]

How very odd :?

That's never been mentioned to me, and I've seen no evidence of it in what I've used so far - about 5-6 cubes. To be fair I'm no expert so the only thing I would recognise is flight holes. Are there any earlier signs I should be looking out for do you know?

 

[Oryxdesign]

I might have to go down there and check it out for myself!

 

[jignesh111]

i'm from leicester

 

[Digit]

i'm from leicester

We'll keep it quiet if you do! :lol:

Roy.

 

[Shane]

TBH Bob, it's the only Ash I've ever used so I can't say how it compares to other stock. I've found it a bit tricky to work, there's a fair bit of movement once resawn etc. and the grain tends to be all over the place so planing without tearout is, well challenging frankly, but worth the perseverance for the lovely character. I've also found it to be pretty merciless on edge tools, seems to be much more abrasive than I expected, but that may be normal for Ash. Wastage isn't too bad considering, and needs careful sorting due to variation in colour, but at the price is of little consequence.

Sounds right to me, I've lust done a large joinery job in Ash, Table saw blade, planer blades and wealden router blades took a right hammering, and getting a good finish through the thicknesser was tricky.

 

[Benchwayze]

i'm from leicester

You could at least have pretended you are from Rutland!

I'll try to be a little more helpful!

What type of timber do you need and how much of it? Sizes that is.
I live in West Midlands, so I could always check through all that stuff I have for the 'round 'tuit' jobs,.

regards
John