New to Melbourne..

[marxie]

Hi all, After 7 years in the States, I returned to Melbourne with my wife and toddler. I was looking for advice on the best places to source furniture grade plywood and hardwood in the greater Melbourne area. I looked through the yellow pages and there seem to be a large number of adverts, but I was hoping to save alot of disappointing trips and petrol and ask for some friendly advice. I was also curious about how "trade discounts" are applied here? I was a licensed cabinet contractor in the states and usually quantity resulted in discounts. I wasn't sure if you needed a business license to qualify here. At the moment, I'm only working on a long "Honey-do" list, but it's always nice to save a few dollars if possible. Also, any advice for cabinet hardware and fasteners. My jaw about hit the floor at Mitre 10 and Bunning's when I saw the price for fasteners. I could get a 20 kilo box of screws at the Bunning's equivalent in California for the price of a 5 kilo box here. Given the strength of the Aussie dollar, it was hard to believe. I figured there must be a trades supplier somewhere in the city that can do better than this price. Anyway, this looks like a great forum and I look forward to participating.

Cheers,

Mark

[Brickie]

My jaw about hit the floor at Mitre 10 and Bunning's when I saw the price for fasteners. I could get a 20 kilo box of screws at the Bunning's equivalent in California for the price of a 5 kilo box here. Given the strength of the Aussie dollar, it was hard to believe.

Hard to believe isnt it, our dollar has risen about 40% in the last few years, yet prices have either gone up or not moved..:((

Matthews timber in Vermont, well I think its Vermont, sell good timber, youll die when you see their prices for Oak, Cherry etc..:U

[Groggy]

Hard to believe isnt it, our dollar has risen about 40% in the last few years, yet prices have either gone up or not moved..:((
Good topic, someone is getting very well to do at our expense :(


Matthews timber in Vermont, well I think its Vermont, sell good timber, youll die when you see their prices for Oak, Cherry etc..:UYep, forget Cherry. Mind you, some good Aussie timbers will be pleasantly priced compared to what they would have been in the US. Here's a few more links:

Coventry Fasteners (http://www.coventryfasteners.com.au/coventry/divisions/industrial/coventry_fasteners_victas/product_range_covfastnew/Fasteners/)
timber_sales.htm (http://www.paulowniatrees.com.au/timber_sales.htm)
Veneer Inlay Australia (http://www.veneerinlayaustralia.com.au/)
Tasmanian Timber (http://www.tastimber.tas.gov.au/)
Australian Hardwood (http://www.australianhardwood.com.au/)
Cabinet Hinge Types - The Hardware Hut (http://www.thehardwarehut.com/cabinet_hinge_types.php)
McJing (http://www.mcjing.com.au/)