Where to find quality timber in west london

[dromo1999]

hi all,

A hobby builder here, just reorganized my workshop and looking over my motley collection of budget tools and hand-me-downs it becomes ever more apparent that the biggest issue I have is wood.... and it’s not just my wife that says that!

where do you get your timber?

I live in west London work during the week and really only find myself in the two main diy stores one called ‘Me & You ‘ and one called ‘Bricks’ (not sure what the moderator rules are ). These stores only stock junk.

Where do you get decent grade ply or oak or even more exotic hardwoods. And how much do you pay?

I’m not sure I can continue to build with crappy stuff.

Any thoughts most welcome!

Cheers all

Will post pic of some work in the appropriate areas.

Jimbo

 

[RogerP]

Can't help with yards in West London but you can buy on-line. Providing you order a decent amount it doesn't work out too expensive (well all good hardwood is expensive, but you know what I mean).

Here's one I've used and would recommend.
http://www.britishhardwoods.co.uk/timber.html
There are many others, as Google will reveal.

 

[dromo1999]

Thanks Roger,

Seems a daft point but what about the logistics. Buying in bulk sight unseen seems a risk. is there a method to your process? do you buy pre cut/planed to size? any particular grade or moisture content?

many thanks again. ill check out the link.

 

[custard]

You're pretty well situated for good timber yards. Here are some that I know personally and can recommend,

Moss & Co (one stop shop very close to you. I bought from them regularly when they were in the East End but they've just relocated to Perivale)
http://www.mosstimber.co.uk

Surrey Timbers (very accommodating to the smaller buyer who doesn't really know their way around timber yards)
http://www.surreytimbers.co.uk

Tylers (outstanding yard, but can be a bit intimidating if you're new to timber buying)
http://www.surreytimbers.co.uk

Capital Crispin (you won't find a better veneer supplier)
https://www.capitalcrispin.com/products.php

Timberline (mecca for serious exotics)
http://www.exotichardwoods.co.uk/index.asp

SL (not the cheapest but consistently good quality ply)

And then a couple that are a bit further afield but well worth a day out,

Yandles
http://www.yandles.co.uk

English Woodlands (like Tylers the stuff they kiln themselves is impeccable quality, there's lots of dodgy Oak being sold so it's good to know there are still sources for the good stuff)
http://www.englishwoodlandstimber.co.uk

Some of these do mail order, but unless you're a volume customer you'll get far better quality by getting down in person and selecting your own boards.

Good luck!

 

[dromo1999]

thats a great list. many thanks

I know Moss & Co ( i once did their accounts many moons ago) when they were in hammersmith. In a more recent visit i seem to remember they were charging about £100 for a furniture grade ply sheet (1.2 * 2.4) . Perhaps thats the norm but it scared the bejeezuz out of me.

 

[RogerP]

Thanks Roger,

Seems a daft point but what about the logistics. Buying in bulk sight unseen seems a risk. is there a method to your process? do you buy pre cut/planed to size? any particular grade or moisture content?

many thanks again. ill check out the link.

I'd phone them and have a chat, I've always found them knowledgeable and helpful, I've never had cause to complain at what they've sent me.

Roger

 

[Woodcrafts]

For ply and other boards I've used Richard Russell Panels in Croydon. A lot of people on this forum use South London Hardwoods, also in Croydon.
For boards and decent softwood there's Champion Timber and Alsfords Timber; both have several branches in and around SW London & Surrey.
It's a while since I've used Moss & Co and hadn't realised that they've relocated. They had an extensive stock of hardwoods.

 

[Londoner100]

You could also try Hansons in Southall, always willing to let me have a nose around the mill looking for off cuts (their offcuts are my gold dust) very helpful as well.

Ian

 

[dromo1999]

great tip Ian. Southall isn't too far.

Thanks again all. Its nice to know that people are out and about looking for timber/sheets. Having looked through a lot of the suppliers listed. It opens my eyes to the actual quality and variety available.

Saw some nice hobby packs at 'britishhardwoods' might give them a try. Also like the look of the single sided ply sheets at SL Hardwoods.

 

[petermillard]

Moss & co were a real old-timey yard - must admit I thought they'd closed down, hadn't realised they'd moved so thanks for that! Also haven't been to Hanson's for years, good to hear they're still around.

Ferguson's are my local yard - A J Ferguson - between Shepherd's Bush and Acton, just off the Uxbridge Rd, they do a some Oak and generic hardwoods, and all the usual sheet materials. Birch Ply's about £50/sheet for 18mm, other prices are on their website.

Good people, absolutely no problem with anyone having a wander about. They do very precise board cutting, might be handy if you were considering buying ply then transporting it home.

Otherwise there's always Hitchcock's in Hammersmith - might be a bit more builder-ish than you're after, though.

HTH Pete

 

[dromo1999]

Thanks Peter. Ferguson are close by. Will try to pop over on sat.

 

[petermillard]

Thanks Peter. Ferguson are close by. Will try to pop over on sat.

Just be aware that they're only open Saturday mornings. Also, you can't be far from me either - I'm just North of Wendell Park, 5 mins from Fergusons.

Cheers, Peter

 

[Londoner100]

Thanks Peter. Ferguson are close by. Will try to pop over on sat.

Just be aware that they're only open Saturday mornings. Also, you can't be far from me either - I'm just North of Wendell Park, 5 mins from Fergusons.

Cheers, Peter

Same for Hansons, half day on Saturdays.

 

[MrTeroo]

Not in West London but they deliver to the area

http://www.timbmet.com/

My stepson uses them - they have a minimum spend of £300 I think, which depending on what you are making may work for you?

 

[dromo1999]

thanks again all.

Peter, I'm based next to Gunnersbury Park. Not far at all. Have been enjoying looking through your website. Some excellent work there.

 

[chippy1970]

You could also try Hansons in Southall, always willing to let me have a nose around the mill looking for off cuts (their offcuts are my gold dust) very helpful as well.

Ian

My wife's uncle is a director

I've used them for years ,the iron bridge yard hasn't changed much in all those years.

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