Quick question on ordering timber

[Tetsuaiga]

Hello,

I was wondering if I could get a bit of advice. I'm looking at ordering some timber for a fairly casual instrument project i'm doing. One option, other than visiting suppliers in person i've found is online suppliers like http://www.slhardwoods.co.uk/Looseboards.aspx and http://www.timbercut4u.co.uk/shop/timber-c1.aspx.

These online seem convenient but i'm a bit concerned about the quality, I wont know what i'll get till it arrives. I might get in contact with them but i'm presuming none of this is quarter sawn wood. Does anyone have experience of the amount of knots I could expect to find?



Thank you.

 

[katellwood]

My thoughts are they are only going to take the top board off the pile which if somebody has self selected from that pile before then their rejects will have been replaced on the top.

Going to the timber merchants and self selection is the way to go for small amounts

 

[marcros]

another option is timberline, where at least the owner is a trained and experienced luthier.

http://www.exotichardwoods.co.uk/Tonewoods/index.asp

 

[Tetsuaiga]

Thanks I think personal inspection is obviously the best choice perhaps i''ll do that this time or after i've successfully completed a first model.

The timberline says they have a tonewood catalogue out soon which should be interesting.

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

I have used Timberline for many years and have had only first class timber and service, you could order from them with no fears. While on the subject Capital Crispin veneers have never disappointed either.
Regards,
mrpercysnodgrass

 

[MickCheese]

I have used SLHardwoods without a problem.

I purchased some Cherry and Tulipwood and all was fine.

Mick

 

[sammo]

I use SLHardwoods all the time - however always go and select the wood, but saying that they always seem to have very good quality boards out, and never had a problem. Any defects are taken off the price but 'left in the board'

 

[joiner_sim]

I have ordered twice from timbercut4u first time was an order of iroko and second time was an order of oak. Both occasions have been good and would highly recommend them.

 

[Ollie78]

I have ordered from SL hardwoods a few times. good for veneered mdf (oak and ash) and solid boards of oak and ash as well.
I have also used british hardwoods online for solid timber, it was all nice timber.
The only thing to watch is the postage costs, which can be a lot.

Of course it is good to select your own boards, on this note I recently went to Tyler hardwoods near Marlborough. Even though I only wanted two 10 inch wide Maple boards and one 13+ Black Walnut board, they were very happy to shift stacks of wood with the forklift so we could find some nice boards, and they helped me look through the stack till I found what I needed. Great range of timber (they were drying out some huge sycamore boards while I was there).

Ollie

 

[marcros]

Was the OP not after the timber specifically for making an instrument? I had assumed that he required timber beyond normal furniture quality, so I would be reluctant to use anybody other than a specialist unless I had seen the stock myself.

 

[Tetsuaiga]

Thanks everyone.

Marcros I think you are right. I've only ever made an instrument out of chipboard before and am a complete beginner. So I don't think its quite worth investing the time and money for higher quality timber just at this stage. As long as the wood is functional im not too concerned with the extras.

Thanks again.