Thread: Sources for recycled / cheap / free timber in Brisbane

I'm sure when I get my mill working in a few months time, there will be plenty of left over pieces of wood, boards, flitches and so forth that I can either give away or sell for a minimum price. There will be quite a range of species but more Hoop Pine than anything else but also a little Red Cedar.

Thanks for the heads up Bob, that would be invaluable for myself and many other budding woodworkers I'm sure.

I trust you will post about it once you are setup, good luck with the mill.

Originally Posted by Bob Whitworth

I'm sure when I get my mill working in a few months time, there will be plenty of left over pieces of wood, boards, flitches and so forth that I can either give away or sell for a minimum price. There will be quite a range of species but more Hoop Pine than anything else but also a little Red Cedar.

Onya Bob...i too am milling in earnest over the next few months (Blackwood mainly,as well as some hardwoods)...welcome to the offcuts as well..just p.m me for more details..Cheers MM

Hi I know the local Men's Shed has more timber than they can handle, people are forever dropping off loads,
check your local.

In fact I have some offcuts you could have as well. PM me.

regards

Thanks for the heads up, will see if I can find a mens shed.

Originally Posted by fields

Hi Guys,

I'm on a limited budget and am trying to use handtools to help me recouperate from an elbow injury.

I've been trying to source cheap used tools from ebay / garage sales and have been using them on my way through the bad quality pine from the local hardware, and from some pallets I had lying around.

I would like to progress to making small boxes or things that I could give away as presents, and to get dovetail practice. I was wondering (maybe dreaming) where people get access to timber for practising? are there places you can get offcuts / surplus / help demolish in return for timber?

I've kept an eye out on things like gumtree and searched this forum and apart from pallets (which the ones I had were splintered / split and hard to work) I can't seem to find anything.

Not asking for handouts, just ideas for places to look.

Thanks.

In Canada I go to the re store which is part of the habitat for humanity , they have scraps and left over pieces from construction and Reno projects and its all sold dirt cheap, I also pick up old pallets from businesses , its amazing what can be build using pallet wood.

Originally Posted by Nathan

In Canada I go to the re store which is part of the habitat for humanity , they have scraps and left over pieces from construction and Reno projects and its all sold dirt cheap, I also pick up old pallets from businesses , its amazing what can be build using pallet wood.

I don't think we have a habitate for humanity here but I'll look into it,

I'm thinking pallets are variable, the ones that I have found have really difficult to remove nails, are cupped and twisted and are mostly very splintery pine; maybe I need to be more selective, but then again I've only found one or two places who give away pallets.

It seems part of the cheap wood game is keeping your eyes open to what's happening around you.

I do dumpster diveing every day, at the house construction sites around mackay, so far I have lined and powered ( electrician connections allways). Put a roof over a 20 " container. Raised floor so timber can be stored underneath. Put up 60 mt of treated pine Fence double sided. All from skip bins or rubbish piles

Hi Fields,
Go to Reverse Garbage over near the PA hospital, you can get plenty of nice bits to practice with for next to nothing.

Cheers