Wood for Painted Furniture ?

[Scrums]

Hi all,

Mostly I make stuff from European Oak, but an increasing number of prospective customers are looking for something to paint.......now there's no way I'm going to paint it, but if they want to do it themselves - fine!

So, given the dearth of timber suppliers up here in this top left hand corner of the North-West, what do I use ?

MDF - don't mention it, it's got to be some type of wood.

Tulip Wood - yes, but I can't afford half a lorry load ( having just taken half a lorry load of Oak) and so delivery will add a silly amount.

Pine?....what sort of Pine is decent...any recommendations on suppliers and prices?

....or......crappy old carcassing pine cut from 6 x 2's, economical and readily available ?

Your thoughts please, gentlemen....

Chris.

 

[woodbloke]

I would have thought that the main consideration is lack of knots (so no 'bleed through') so any half decent, straight grained cheapish timber might suit. As a suggestion what about Chestnut :duno: but I have no idea on the price compared to oak. What about Parana Pine? - Rob

 

[joiner_sim]

I'd of said tulip wood! :lol:

 

[jasonB]

I would use Tulipwood but if you want a softwood then unsorted redwood would be my choice for joinery.

Don't use carcasing timber, its usually fast grown whitewood with a very open grain and most is a bit on the damp side.

Rob Parana pine is virtually unobtainable these days and also a bit soft so dents easily, I've got a bit stashed away from some twenties wall paneling I stripped out a couple of years ago.

Jason

 

[OPJ]

I'd also recommend tulipwood, firstly. If your local supplier doesn't have that then they may stock American lime. I'm not sure how it compares price-wise but it's usually almost knot-free and very easy to work.

 

[Karl]

When I was working at Brad's place in January he showed me some lovely cheap beech which he was using for painted pieces. £20/cube spings to memory.

I'm sure he'll spot this thread and chip in.

Cheers

Karl

 

[Mr T]

hi

Definately beech or poplar for the framing. What's wrong with mdf for the panels?

Chris

 

[JonnyD]

I dont like tulipwood its too soft so for painted kitchens i use either beech or maple for a flat finish or american ash for a see the grain finish.

cheers

jon

 

[Richard Findley]

Depends on the final use but Tulip is your cheapest option and will give a lovely smooth "canvass" for painting.

I use Lathams, they have depots all over the UK and deliver FOC. Here are their locations: http://www.lathamtimber.co.uk/LocationMap.68.html

I bought some 3" Tulip the other day at £875 cubic metre +VAT (about £25 cubic foot if I've got my conversion rate about right?)

HTH

Richard

 

[Benchwayze]

I bought some air-dried, native grown Poplar from


POPLAR TREE CO
LOWER LULHAM FARM, LULHAM, MADLEY HEREFORD, HR2 9JJ

Some years ago now mind, but it wasn't expensive.

The timber was genuinely air-dried and was nice to work. Once I realised the 'wooliness' needed ultra sharp planes, it made a good substitute for pine.


(American tulip wood is fine, but all it is is Heartwood-poplar.)

Parana Pine is good too, but a bit on the expensive side. (Cheaper than oak etc. of course!)

Richard,
You probably already know, but it was used to make Oil-painting panels years ago, and some artists still use it!

Another supplier of excellent timbers:

http://www.sykestimber.co.uk/timber/hemlock.html


HTH
John

 

[Scrums]

Well, been having a phone around - reckon Tulip/Poplar is my best bet.

Lathams are £667/£19 per cu M /cu Ft + £115 delivery !

so I rang Travis Perkins, Kendal - not holding out much hope, even of speaking to anyone who was aware of what Tulip Wood was - nice suprise - in stock, and....

£584 cuM/ £16.50 cu Ft delivered (+ vat)

So, I think I know where I'm going.

Thanks for your opinions....



Chris.