Timber & Tools Auction

[Ironballs]

Never seen a piece of monkey puzzle timber, anyone have a pic? Or shall I just google it :wink:

 

[RogerS]

I have to agree with Dave, the prices seemed higher than previous years and not so much to buy. I too came away with nothing. SWMBO liked the piece of Monkey Puzzle, but without a specific project in mind, thought it too expensive to live in the garage until we thought of a use.

Always next year I guess!

Bob

Bob...was that you and your missus in the middle of the room and she was writing down all the prices in the catalogue (in red IIRC) ?? If so I was right behind you.

We really need a logo :wink:

 

[RogerS]

Never seen a piece of monkey puzzle timber, anyone have a pic? Or shall I just google it :wink:

Yes. I do :wink:

 

[wizer]

I googled it and couldn't find much, I'm intrigued. I guess it's only for turning?

 

[RogerS]

I googled it and couldn't find much, I'm intrigued. I guess it's only for turning?

No I don't think so. The top surface was in pretty good nick and I reckon a good scarping would bring it up. Or jury rig a router with a bottom cut bit in some sort of carriage. I was tempted to go higher but reckoned that the other chap was 'on a mission'.

 

[bobscarle]

Roger. No, that was not me with her, although I did stand by her on one occasion and noticed that she was keeping track of the prices, as you say, in red.

Wizer. The piece of monkey puzzle would not have been suitable for turning as it was a horizontal section through the tree. Roughly 3' in diameter. I have seen branches turned before, with some very nice results.

Bob

 

[SVB]

Bob,

I may be wrong but I think that monkey puzzle is unusual in as far is it is often turned end grain owing to the way the knots are distributed around the trunk. In the normal run of things you are quite correct in that side grain is much nicer to turn. Greg Moreton does some really nice work in monkey puzzle and almost always turns end grain:

http://www.moreton.co.uk/gallerys.asp

(Not trying to be smart, just could be interesting as a project for someone - although 36" dia is quite a piece)

Regarding timber auctions (nice link?!), has anyone been to the Westonbirt arboretum auction? Is it just their green timber or is there dried stuff as well? Also, what are the general prices like? I probably could give them a bell on the first couple of points but first hand experience is always more valuable.

BRgds
Simon

 

[frugal]

I think I might have bought too much wood

I must confess that as an auction newbie I got carried away and probably bought some things I have no need for just because they seemed like good bargains (a 4'x3' piece of poplar for instance

The half pallet of reclaimed oak will probably just be used as firewood as a lot of it is too far gone to make anything out of, but at the price it was still cheaper than buying firewood.

 

[RogerS]

Oh dear, frugal. Yet another slippery slope. I also happen to know where most of that firewood (oops...quality timber :wink: ) came from!

I looked out for you but couldn't work you out from your description!

 

[Woodmagnet]

I- Spy saw handles methinks Frugal.

 

[wizer]

I don't think I'd like to visit one of these places actually. It's hard enough workout out prices for new timber, how one earth do you know what you've bought or how much of a bargain it was. Admittedly the monkey puzzle was a rarity worthy of auction.

 

[OPJ]

I think I might have bought too much wood

I disagree. There's still plenty of room for more - you could've piled more on top and I don't see any wood sat on the front passenger's seat either! :wink:

 

[frugal]

I- Spy saw handles methinks Frugal.

Erm... I realised after buying the wood that some of it was not going to fit in the Shogun

9 handsaws (including a Diston) for a tenner. Most of them are in a good condition, there are one or two that are missing nuts, but they all look quite good. Straight blades on all of them and a variety of different tooth configurations. Now I have to learn about sharpening saws...

 

[frugal]

I don't think I'd like to visit one of these places actually. It's hard enough workout out prices for new timber, how one earth do you know what you've bought or how much of a bargain it was. Admittedly the monkey puzzle was a rarity worthy of auction.

Some of the wood I ended up buying was priced as follows:

Spalted Beech: 2.7 cu ft, £16 = £6/cu ft
Poplar: 2 cu ft, £5 = £2.50/cu ft
Ash: 1.75 cu ft, £20 = £11.50/cu ft
Oak: 0.6 cu ft, £16 = £25/cu ft
Cherry: 1.9 cu ft, £24 = £12.60/cu ft

the Oak and the Walnut seemed to be the ones that went for the most per cubic foot.

 

[frugal]

I disagree. There's still plenty of room for more - you could've piled more on top and I don't see any wood sat on the front passenger's seat either! :wink:

mumble... mumble... I also forgot to take out the two child seats before I left home, so they are occupying the passenger seat