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  1. #1
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    Default Best timber for beginners? 2x4 equivalent?

    Hi all,

    What type of timber(s) would you recommend for very amateur woodworkers?

    I'm just getting into this hobby and wanted to build a simple workbench for my second project based off this video. It, and many other plans and tutorials, call for 2x4 pine / construction lumber. The internet tells me that treated pine is no good for furniture. So I went looking for 90x45 untreated pine at Bunnings and a few other building supply stores but it seems that's not really a thing here.

    Am I barking up the wrong tree? What is the equivalent for this type of project?

    I wanted to start simple and get up off of the floor. Then was going to check salvage yards for cheap-ish materials that I don't have to be too precious about while I'm learning. I want to make a few BBQ carts, a toolbox, etc with a mixture of hand and power tools. Are any species reasonably affordable and easy to work with?

    Many thanks in advance and looking forward to learning heaps from this forum!

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  3. #2
    Mobyturns's Avatar
    Mobyturns is offline In An Instant Your Life Can Change Forever
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    Default

    DAR timber from the likes of Bunnings is relatively expensive when compared to timber from local suppliers / mills. Same for 'construction' timber - pine studs etc. However, it is 'ready to go', available in a range of lengths and sizes, and easily accessible, plus transportable in convenient lengths. You pay for convenience.

    You can find 'better' timbers and save quite a bit of money by sourcing local and local species, but typically have to do more of the processing yourself which requires access to machinery - a jointer, thicknesser, table saw etc. - drying / seasoning, machining etc. It also typically requires travel to the supplier / mill and may not be available 'cut to size.' Many timber merchants will process to your specification - at a cost of course, the more processing they do the higher the price.

    If you have a suitable vehicle and are prepared to travel look at suppliers such as Boutique Timbers - Contact Information | Boutique Timbers Look at their offerings and also check the "Marketplace" on the WWF.
    Mobyturns

    In An Instant Your Life CanChange Forever

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
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    Mornington Peninsula
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    Default

    +1 for Boutique Timbers. Good and sometimes unique timber at good prices.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
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    Geelong, Victoria
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    Default

    Just starting out and for a workbench, you should be able to get something from Bunnings or Mitre 10. There is untreated timber there, (unless it is out of stock due to the shortages). Find someone to ask what is available.
    Also be aware that sizes are often vary just a bit between suppliers.
    From the bunnies website there is this MGP10 which should do for your purposes. 90 x 45mm Framing MGP10 Untreated Pine L/M - Bunnings Australia.
    Once you get into the craft, your will find that Bunnings and Mitre 10 do not usually have what you are looking for and you have to go to more specialist places. The more experienced by rough sawn timber and mill it themselves to the required dressed sizes for the project. Im my opinion this is far better than modifying the project to suit the sizes or choosing projects that suit the sizes that the big box stores want to sell you!
    Bruce

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Perth WA Australia
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    Default

    Depending on how much "experience" you would like to gain i'd recommend salvage yards. They may be warped, twisted etc, but will give you loads of experience working with handplanes (or machinery if you have them)

    Other than that head to timber yards rather than the green shed, you'll find better quality timber at comparative prices.

    Also given that its your first bench don't be afraid to use sheet goods like plywood for a workbench, chances are as your skills improve and you figure out what you need in a bench you'll probably want to build another.

    Another good spot for decent wood is in the classifieds ie gumtree, facebook market place etc, obviously may take bit of time to find what you're after but at times will be cheaper than retail shops.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    AU
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    Default

    In Perth it's pretty much impossible to find non-treated construction pine, I had to call a number of timber yards to find some.
    My go to for timber (I'm a beginner) is Jarrah from FB marketplace, as it's local to WA and there a lot of people demolishing so it comes up. The price of timber definitely went up a lot in the past 2 years.

    For a beginner workbench, look at Rob Cosman's workbench. All plywood and MDF but very stable.

    Sent from my SM-A336E using Tapatalk

  8. #7
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    Jul 2019
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    mid north coast
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    I wonder why the internet says treated timber is no good for furniture, for aesthetic appeal perhaps

    I've made a few benches for router, saws, thicknesser and one large all purpose bench that could take the weight of a car

    all using 90x45 and 70x45 treated pine - all good so far

    cheers
    hodgo

  9. #8
    Join Date
    May 2019
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    Canberra, Australia
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hodgo View Post
    I wonder why the internet says treated timber is no good for furniture, for aesthetic appeal perhaps

    I've made a few benches for router, saws, thicknesser and one large all purpose bench that could take the weight of a car

    all using 90x45 and 70x45 treated pine - all good so far

    cheers
    hodgo
    I hope your shop has world class dust extraction

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