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29th September 2021, 11:51 AM #1Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2021
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 242
Where is best to shop for timber to get a good balance of quality and price?
I've got a few projects in the works and will soon need to buy some timber. My go-to in the past has always been Bunnings. However, I've heard in a few places that I'm better off going to dedicated timber shops as they are generally cheaper. But having done a bit of searching around, it seems there is little difference in price between them in many instances.
I am guessing for more expensive timber, like hardwoods, the quality and expertise might better at dedicated timber stores. However, for things like treated pine, MDF, or CD plywood, is there much difference?
I've also heard of the idea of going straight to a saw mill for really cheap timber - is that a thing in the Sydney area?
I live on the Central Coast (north of Sydney) and have searched for and found the many options for timber shops in the area. If anyone has specific recommendations in the area (eg: Tuggerah, Gosford, etc) that would be appreciated.
I should say I've got plenty of ideas for sourcing timber for free (demolition sites, etc), but I'm referring here to instances where the timber needs to be purchased.
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tl:dr only ever bought timber at Bunnings. What are better options for price and quality?
Cheers
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9th October 2021, 09:20 AM #2
A very difficult question to address lemery. So much depends! If you are talking about wood for construction purposes, then it's largely a question of who has acceptable quality at a price acceptable to you. The big chains obviously get the best per-unit deals from the suppliers, but don't always get the very best quality and on a home-improvement type project, your wastage may well end up costing you more than if you'd paid a bit more from a supplier who has top-notch stock. Not my area, so I really can't comment on what is the best approach here.
When it comes to smaller scale furniture type projects, places like Bunnies can usually be struck off the list instantly, simply because they carry such a limited number of what I think of as "cabinet grade" woods. If you want something that is both attractive & sensible to work with for fine furniture, then you are far better off buying what you need from a specialty supplier. This sort of wood is never cheap if you want quality stuff ready to get stuck into, but in my experience, buying just what you need from a reliable supplier (well, I usually add a little bit extra for stuff-ups & other unforeseen disasters ), usually works out to be the most economical approach in the long-run. If you luck into really good recycled stuff at a good price it can be the both economical & satisfying, but you need a deal of luck & be in the right place at the right time.
For tiny quantities like model & tool-making the specialty suppliers are probably the only option, you simply won't get unusual or exotic species from anyone else. Again, the unit price goes up (to an eye-watering degree in some cases), but if the finished project demands it, that's what it has to be. It cost me something like $70 for the ringed gidgee I used in these shoulder planes, which would work out to a staggering amount on a per-cube basis:
S-planes 2.jpg
However, that's not the point, in my case, I wanted something that would be unique, attractive & durable. The cost was actually not unreasonable (I've done a fair bit of wood harvesting in my time, & there is a lot time & expense between a standing tree & a usable chunk of this sort of wood), and I never think about it when I pick one up to use, but I do often think how good the wood looks & how good it feels in my hand....
So it's all about horses & courses, really....
Cheers,IW
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10th October 2021, 10:24 AM #3GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Nov 2009
- Location
- Canberra
- Posts
- 1,054
If I lived in Sydney I would be visiting Trend Timbers.
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12th October 2021, 09:03 AM #4Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2021
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 242
Thanks. I’ll check out some of the dedicated timber shops near me (will also check out Trend Timbers). I guess I’ll get a feeling for what works for me and what doesn’t.
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12th October 2021, 09:52 AM #5
Greg Ward from Botique Timbers delivers to Sydney and his prices are very good.
Boutique Timbers
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Cheers
Tom.... some old things are lovely
Warm still with the life of forgotten men who made them ........................D.H. Lawrence
https://thevillagewoodworker.blogspot.com/
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14th October 2021, 12:58 PM #6Novice
- Join Date
- Aug 2018
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 21
I created this map where people can add timber suppliers (and other related items) on a "Woodworker's Map". There should be a few good places there (feel free to add your own!!):
A "woodworker's map" (woodworkforums.com)
Personally, I love Anagote:
Anagote Timbers, Marrickville | Timber Sydney