Stupid question

[JimiJimi]

This will sound like a stupid question, but where can I buy planed wood?

Let me clarify a little. I have been scrolling for about a year now but have only really used Baltic birch ply, mostly 18mm. But where can I get similar thicknesses of other woods? Are timber merchants just for builders - are they likely to just sell 2x4 unplaned wood that wouldn't look out of place on a building site? I must admit to feeling a bit intimidated in builders yards, and don't want to get laughed at when I ask for wood for craft work and not building a roof. B&Q don't seem to have what I want. Plywood seems relatively easy to come by but I am not sure where to start with other woods. It seems possible to buy some planed wood from places like Hobbies but this doesn't come very thick or wide.

Jimi

 

[bodgerbaz]

I'm surprised B&Q doesn't stock what you want. Planed pine is very common and a thickness of 19 mm (3/4") is widely available and usually comes in a variety of lengths. The width is usually a problem if you are making a big project? You should be able to find widths up to about 200 mm (8") without too much trouble in any DIY or builders merchants.

Builders merchants and DIY stores usually sell a similar range of woods with pine being the commonest. If you're after anything other than pine, like hardwoods, you would usually have to visit a timber merchant. They often, but not always, sell their wood 'in the rough' which means you'll need to 'prepare' the wood yourself. A common way of selling hardwoods is to have one or two sides planed but the edges will be unplaned. Timber merchants also usually have 'offcut' bins where you can usually pick up some bargains.

It can be very intimidating walking into any store to get something you aren't familiar with and you may be able to buy 'on line' but you're gonna be faced with a hefty shipping charge. I wouldn't advise buying 'on line' as every piece of timber is different and choosing the right piece is very important to the look of the finished work. Even when I used to buy bog-standard pine at my local B&Q or Wicks I rejected several pieces because it was split or bowed or didn't look right. And that was with the commonest wood on the planet!!

You don't say what width you are after but you will be hard pressed to find pine wider than about 18mm and even then it will start to bow quite quickly. Depending on what you want to make, and what width you are after, you could consider some of the shelf-type pine that usually come wrapped in a poly cover. They are 18 mm thick with wide widths and are very stable (will not bow) because they are 'glue-ups' made from something like 50 mm strips. If you're gonna paint it or like an interesting design this may be of use to you?

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Barry

 

[Fishandchips]

This is a timber merchant in Huddersfield called garrards timber

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BIRCH-PLYWOOD ... e9qefQKnJg

They sell pas timber also. Call for a price before you travel though or get a price from their eBay shop because if you get to the till with no idea they will make up the prices.

I find them the cheapest around as long as your savvy .

Or try what you need on eBay and sort by nearest first. That works for me a lot.

 

[Claymore]

Jimi if you want a source of cheap hardwoods try your local charity shops and recycling depots for old solid wood furniture etc, you can find some great woods like Oak/Walnut'Beech etc if your lucky and most charity shops are quite happy to save any wooden items for ya once you get to know them and also they usually struggle to sell damaged furniture to joe public.
Cheers
Brian
Ps has there been any flooding this time in Hebden ? used to visit there allot when I lived in Yorkshire

 

[loftyhermes]

Try British Hardwoods or Scawton Sawmill, both will be at the Harrogate Wood show this month.
happy scrolling
Steve

 

[gilljc]

Hi Jimi
it is definitely worth dropping in to your local timber/builders merchant. Like you I was really nervous about going in the first time, almost more so as a woman :roll: I shouldn't have been, the girl at reception directs me through to the wood store, where one of the guys comes and helps me to pull out planks to have a look at to make sure I get a good one, he writes a note of what length is marked on it, I cut it to length with my own saw and then we put it in the car and go back to reception to pay, always a really nice friendly experience
My local has pine which I don't use any more, and lovely American white oak in 6mm, 12mm and 20mm thick up to 145mm wide and a mahogany which might have a wider variety of sizes, but I haven't tried that (yet)
B&Q do a variety of pine in their stripwood section up to 25mm thick but just under 10mm wide, I would definitely say go to your local woodyard it will be much better

good luck

Gill

 

[nadnerb]

Try your local joinery firm, they always have off cuts. If you talk nice to them they might even let you have them at cost!!!
Regards
Brendan
PS There are no stupid questions- just stupid answers!!!

 

[cowboy682]

Hi Jimi
if you're still unsure about going some where, l could arrange to meet you at Huddersfield and go to Garrards to shop for wood and there are a few more places that we could call at let me know on here please

 

[JimiJimi]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. Sorry I haven't got back sooner - the whole world has gone mad for reindeer. Must be the time of year...

I forgot to mention that my efforts are hampered by not having a car, but I thought I would try British Hardwoods in Keighley (thanks Steve) as I am on the bus route to them and they seem to sell hobby packs. Maybe they wouldn't mind chopping a few pieces up for me to carry on the bus.

You are of course correct Barry, I can get pine from B&Q, but I wanted to try something a bit more adventurous.

Thanks Graham for the offer, Garrards looks really interesting so I might bite the bullet and visit next tie I am in Huddersfield.

Anyway, thanks again for the help and I'll try to post some pics when I get around to buying some wood.

Jimi