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  1. #1
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    Default Where do I get it?

    Picked up a copy of popular woodworking and found a project I'd like to have a go at. The project plan calls for Western Red cedar (commonly available at home centres and lumber yards, it tells the reader) but I have no idea where to start looking. I'd rather stay away from Bumblings if at all possible, so does the forum know where I can source this material without selling my kidneys?

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  3. #2
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    I'd say your reading an American magazine as it is in hardwares over there but not in Aus. It is available, but as an import, may cost you that kidney but I'm sure someone can recommend a seller down your way.

    Plenty of cheaper Australian timbers available, what do you want to make?
    Neil
    ____________________________________________
    Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new

  4. #3
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    Yeah it's american, trying to figure out what the hell 5/4 lumber is made my brain melt. I'm basically making an outdoor bench as a gift for a friend. So I'd like something that will survive outside ok, looks nice (but not too nice, I don't like him THAT much ). I'm open to any and all suggestions - I'm very much an enthusiastic newbie. Just would like to use something a bit nicer than treated pine.

  5. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by soundwave View Post
    ...The project plan calls for Western Red cedar (commonly available at home centres and lumber yards, it tells the reader) but I have no idea where to start looking. ....
    Uptons had heaps last time I visited. Not expensive.

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by soundwave View Post
    Yeah it's american, trying to figure out what the hell 5/4 lumber is made my brain melt.
    5/4 should be interpreted as five quarters. i.e. 1.25 inch or 32 mm near enough.
    I'm pretty certain that 5 fourths rough sawn timber is not available in Australia.

    What are you supposed to do with the wood?
    Five fourths would nominally finish at around 30 mm which could play havoc with the plan's other dimensions.


    Western Red Cedar is readily available in home centers in the US and Canada, but is a semi specialist import here in Aus.
    But about its only advantage is it's low density which translates to low weight in the finished piece.

    Similar rot resistance and strength can be obtained with an appropriate Aussie timber.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  7. #6
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    It's just for a Muskoka chair bench (I refuse to call them Adirondack chairs). Like I said, I'm up for suggestions of what else to use, I'd just rather not use treated pine.

  8. #7
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    Why not consider using another locally grown softwood like Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) used as windbreaks and milled in parts of Vic eg Millswood and available from there, in milled form. Take a drive (when you can) and pick some up.

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euge View Post
    Why not consider using another locally grown softwood like Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) used as windbreaks and milled in parts of Vic eg Millswood and available from there, in milled form. Take a drive (when you can) and pick some up.
    The only millswood I can find is in south Australia, but this sounds interesting. Do you have any more information on a source?

  10. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    Similar rot resistance and strength can be obtained with an appropriate Aussie timber.
    Any suggestions in particular?

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by soundwave View Post
    The only millswood I can find is in south Australia, but this sounds interesting. Do you have any more information on a source?
    Oops sorry... I meant Millgrove, on the way to Warburton on Warburton Hwy about 1 hr SE of Melbourne . There is mill in the village visible from main road opposite the park/ reserve.
    ACCO a member here lives in the district and can provide more detail and info if required.

    Cheers Eugene

  12. #11
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    C. macrocarpa is rated as class 3 & said to be good for outdoor furniture, but I think WRC would comfortably out-perform it when exposed to the elements. If you want the raw timber look on a chair which is left outside, WRC is ideal because it needs no finish & tolerates weathering without cracking or splitting (much). Many Australian hardwoods are equally durable, but tend to check & split if unsealed & repeatedly wet. They are also far heavier & would make the style of chair you're contemplating very unwieldy!

    About the only local species I can think of that would tick all the boxes is Toona (Red Cedar), which is a hardwood, but light and tolerates weathering similar to its softwood namesake. White Beech (Gmelina) is also weather resistant (prized for boat decking) but a little heavier. Both are probably far more expensive than WRC, which should be pretty easy to obtain in all capital cities...

    Cheers,
    IW

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by GraemeCook View Post
    Uptons had heaps last time I visited. Not expensive.
    Can't see it listed on their website, do they typically have a wider range of timber than you see online?

  14. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by soundwave View Post
    Any suggestions in particular?
    My suggestion would be Toona Australis a.k.a. Australian Red Cedar
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by soundwave View Post
    Can't see it listed on their website, do they typically have a wider range of timber than you see online?

    Dunno, never used their website. Give their local branch (Epping) a ring.

    Britton Timbers also stock it; prices usually a little higher than Uptons but reliable quality. They have a branch in Dandenong.

  16. #15
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    Uptons in Albury is a bit like Aldi with their special buys, except they don't advertise them. So while there is a fixed range of various timbers always available you never know what you will find over and above those staples. And by golly there are some extraordinary bargains to be had at times. It wouldn't surprise me if the other stores are similar. Uptons are quite a big affair after you add in the Bunker stores in Tassie and Qld.

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