Thread: help finding timber for chest, wood-tech project western Sydney

Lucas, firstly welcome to the forum and get your son on here! He is a seriously talented young chap, and deserves a heap of encouragement and assistance. If we don't develop kids like this the art will stagnate.

Originally Posted by LucasT

... or point us at a supplier close by (we are in the Blue Mtns).

In your dreams, but if you do come across one, let us all know would you?

Originally Posted by LucasT

anyone got ideas?

Yup. Clearly he has to best the table to really impress his teacher, yes? In that case, going off the normal retail grid for timber will be the best bet.

rustynail (in Bilpin) has a great supply of Blue Gum (thinking frame here). He also has a stack of Cedar (thinking panels), and I think access to more. Some might say that Cedar is too soft for this purpose, and they'd be almost right. However, its very softness would lead to a quicker "dinged" or "stressed" patina in a decade or so of use (which it will clearly get) - I reckon this would add tremendous character that only time will reveal.

There are a few other chaps around who get great timber too - Greg Ward (Cremorne), Mapleman (Sunshine Coast - mail is fine), tgcreations (Brisbane) are a few that come to mind.

Now these are all great guys who would love to encourage your son (aren't yez?) and I'd be surprised if something very tasty at the right price couldn't be worked out. Your son is their future client, eh guys.

What could look really hot is using some of Mapleman's Mango Stump as a feature lid (either outside or inside the lid). It's a long thread but just scan for the pic posts and you'll get the idea very quickly. Maybe with some Huon from tgcreations as a feature within the Mango panel. Some Hairy Oak trim from Greg Ward (maybe the plinth if it's going to have one, or a skirt around the lid).

Time to issue some thread invites.

Cheers
Brett

Originally Posted by LucasT

... he'd like a light coloured Australian timber with a bit of character, not too rare but interesting.
...

What about silky oak?
Mal has some, I think

PS oh what a superb looking table and welcome to the woody side of the forum

Thats an amazing table and piece of woodwork.

Although not in Sydney Mal is at Rollands Plains Boutique Timbers

How ever Greg Ward a member on here is his brother and has possibly got stock at home send him a PM they do have good quality timbers used by many a member of this forum and some highly regarded in their field.

Thanks so much for the answers Brett and Nick,
The Silky Oak sounds interesting.
As does the cedar and the blue gum in Bilpin.

Could you let me know Mal's username (and suburb?) so I can contact him to see if he's interested in selling some? Also interested to talk with rustynail - Bilpin is close and we could drop in there to have a look. Unfortunately we've all been crazy busy and haven't left ourselves much time so it will have to be somewhere close. And it'll have to be seasoned timber (yes I know making it hard aren't we!).

Just a question about the cedar - what tree is that - is it the Australian Red Cedar? which is a hardwood I think? Maybe that could be good for the insert/panels with the bluegum which I think is a light coloured timber as the frame?

A few pieces to insert in the lid is a great idea Nick - maybe some silky oak with the blue gum?

thanks I sent Greg an email. I'm kicking myself we left our run so late - seeing some of the timber pics in this forum - beautiful!
Yes he's very lucky to have a great teacher, and he did a great job too, he has a good eye for detail. We were also lucky to be at Morrisons mill in Strahan for a holiday in January and we did a back of the envelop plan and bought the timber while we were there. the mix of those timbers is just beautiful. the table is in our house now and the whole family walk past it and stroke the timber often - the feel and smell of the huon!

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Thats an amazing table and piece of woodwork.

Although not in Sydney Mal is at Rollands Plains Boutique Timbers

How ever Greg Ward a member on here is his brother and has possibly got stock at home send him a PM they do have good quality timbers used by many a member of this forum and some highly regarded in their field.

Happy to assist. Just drop me a PM and we'll go from there.
Ken.

Originally Posted by LucasT

Thanks so much for the answers Brett and Nick,
The Silky Oak sounds interesting.
As does the cedar and the blue gum in Bilpin.

Could you let me know Mal's username (and suburb?) so I can contact him to see if he's interested in selling some? Also interested to talk with rustynail - Bilpin is close and we could drop in there to have a look. Unfortunately we've all been crazy busy and haven't left ourselves much time so it will have to be somewhere close. And it'll have to be seasoned timber (yes I know making it hard aren't we!).

Just a question about the cedar - what tree is that - is it the Australian Red Cedar? which is a hardwood I think? Maybe that could be good for the insert/panels with the bluegum which I think is a light coloured timber as the frame?

A few pieces to insert in the lid is a great idea Nick - maybe some silky oak with the blue gum?

I've sent PMs to a few of the timber guys mentioned, so maybe they'll stick their heads in here. Mal isn't a member here - his brother Greg is.
Toona australis - Good Aussie Cedar mate! It's a softwood.

Hoop Pine could be another good choice. I'm thinking softer woods for the panels because it'll keep the weight down a bit - already heavy with tools.

I'll try to take some pics of some timbers tomorrow, and post them.

I've sent an email and will assist if I can. I've got some beautiful red cedar and rosewood and also silky, so we'll see what he needs, I can bring back to Sydney mid June
Thanks everyone
Greg

For the lighter timber I'd use Silver Ash or Jacaranda. Greg has probably got them too

Originally Posted by Greg Ward

I've sent an email and will assist if I can. I've got some beautiful red cedar and rosewood and also silky, so we'll see what he needs, I can bring back to Sydney mid June
Thanks everyone
Greg

Greg

Nicely picked up on .

Regards
Paul

Thanks everyone for the great info through the forum, PMs and by email. We ended up with some nice bluegum from rustynail and some mountain ash from Trend. rustynail was really helpful with practical advice. Although we ended up with eucalypt hardwoods for the chest (which should come up as a practical, strong and beautiful piece) we are both inspired by the Australian cedar and rustynail's stories of the origins of the timber and some of the beautiful things to be made! we'll be back )