Need a Timber Machining Service?

[OPJ]

Another factor worth bearing in mind is the wastage required when working with solid timber. As an example; some yards I know of will happily machine 5ft³ of timber for you and only charge you for that amount, even if they end up using, say, 8ft³ (losing 3ft³ to defects and damaged boards, etc.). You'd definitely have to start buying (and storing!) your timber in bulk. But, even then, you'd have to look at how feasible it is to you, particularly when starting out.

Brad makes a very good point in that the end user would presumably have all the other tools to do the job. Therefore, you'd possibly be looking to target the enthusiasts or 'hand tool galoots'... :wink:

Standard PAR is actually very usable although, the quality of the machining can very from one supplier to another. If you only need relatively short lengths and can cut out the snipe and any damage from the forklift (!), it can save a lot of time. Some people are too fussy! I don't think price is as much of an issue when it would probably cost you a similar amount to do all that machining yourself.

 

[jasonB]

One problem I see for you if doing this in your own time is how do you get the deliveries & collections to come in your lunch hour, after work or at a weekend? I'm sure your boss would not want you constantly stopping to take a delivery or despatch goods.

You also need to consider packaging, no one will want their nicely cut boards turning up with dented corners.

And what about tool wear & tear? I would think you should figure a percentage of your charges should be set aside to pay your boss. Also what happens if a machine breaks down or is damaged while you are using it for private work?

There is certainly a market for this type of service, just look at SLH, they will cut (& Edge if you want it) boards or prepare timber to any dimension you want and send it all over the country. They are able to cover the costs of machines etc as they are also part of their joinery firm JSM Joinery.

I Have used them to prepare timber for me in the past from a couple of hundread pound to a few thousand as it can work out more economic for me to be earning doing other things as they have larger machines and their machinists don't need paying what I charge.

You have also got the likes of Hills Panels who will cut & edge at reasonable rates and have a large stock.

Jason

 

[joiner_sim]

Thanks for all the feedback! This was exactly the sort of information I was looking for. I think I am going to probably wait til I get my own house and then I will try and start by selling dimensioned timber to order over the internet.

As to the sheet cutting services, some of you have said I'd need the machinery. If I was to decide to run this thru my bosses workshop, it would be a fast and accurate turn around. The machine takes the biggest sheets i've ever seen! And the cutting list is sent via the internal server to the machines computer, it is just literally press GO!

 

[Richard D]

Deviating from the topic a bit, I've decided that GBS will be dimensioning wood for me in future only if I'm absolutely desperate. One of the guys there is great, but I was served by someone else on my last visit who literally threw a very hard plank of oak through the thicknesser, trying to take the full 4mm off in one pass. Result - a lousy finish and a huge split (that I only noticed after I got home). It prompted me to buy my own P/T. And they're not particularly cheap for most hardwoods (and have quite a limited range)

 

[JonnyD]

I offer a service similar to what you are proposing. I tend to supply bits of PAR or moulded sections and cut up sheets for local joiners who have no facilities to do it themselves. They usually dont care what it costs as they just add it on the there customers bill. It can be a nice little earner and you can charge a mark up on the material and then I charge for labour at around £10 per 10 mins of machining time.

cheers

jon