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Thread: Bunnings Timber

  1. #1
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    Default Bunnings Timber

    Hi, I've come to this forum as there seems to be a large percentage of Aussies here.

    I'm looking at building a Mayfly 16 (Jim Michalak) and will probably get the Pink Maple marine ply from Boatcraft Pacific, seems to be reasonably priced?

    When it comes to timber from framing and spars etc., though, well there's a big Bunnings store walking distance from my house, too easy to just nip down there and get bits of timber as and when I need it.

    They have two basic timbers.

    Soft Wood
    A light, soft, pine (local hoop/plantation pine ?).
    It's very soft, you can make a dent in it with your thumb.

    Hard Wood
    Tasmanian Oak - some sort of eucalyptus
    seems quite dense, maybe a bit heavy? seems to stand up well to being left outside untreated though.

    You can usually find pretty good grain in either of them, if you are prepared to go through the racks and look for it, maybe make a couple of visits.

    Has anyone used these timbers?
    Are they OK for a boat?

    The alternative is to find a local timber yard, but they don't seem to open much on the weekends (not on the Sunshine Coast at least) and I wouldn't have any idea what to ask for. You seen things that say "Douglas Fir or similar" but I would have no idea what "similar" means.


    all comments, suggestions, and derision welocme
    Simon.

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  3. #2
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    Default

    I used Hoop Pine (the plantation stuff) extensively when building my TS16 - plenty strong enough for the application. yes, it does dent a little easily, but most of the places that it's called for aren't areas which will later be easy to access for denting - so no issue. it's a certain degree of flex, strength and stiffness we're after, not crush resistance. It's also a fair bit lighter than Doug Fir with little loss in strength, so yay!

    As to hardwood, as well as the Tas oak (which is bunnings version of a "Feature timber" (Hah), you can also check their trade racks for standard F7, F14 etc Kiln Dried hardwoods - which are less pretty but just as hard-woody. Especially if you're going to paint these sections. They'll be a whack cheaper than Tas Oak and, in the kind of boat like a Mayfly, just fine. I'd guess just a little on the heavy side, but they'll do.

    re: the "Pink" marine ply - I used Pacific Maple (Pink) ply for most of my build, and I've written before on how it compares but simply put - it's in the mid-weight, good strength/crush resistance, high tendency to splinter when cutting category. Nothing wrong with it and an alright economical choice, when compared to hoop or gaboon. I got my 6mm sheets for around $46 each, compared to 100+ for hoop or gaboon, and after extensive wet/dry cycles, constant immersion at boiling, constant immersion in cold/freezing water, i haven't managed to delaminate or rot it yet (Coming up on 3 years). I also buried a bit - I check it each few months, and it's fine so far. a bit of a wash and a light sand, and it looks like new.

  4. #3
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    Thanks for the response, good to know that it will be OK to use.

    I plan to use a hardwood for the bits that will get knocked about, the external chine logs and the skids underneath, the weight won't matter so much that low down.
    Just out of curiosity, what is F7 & F14? A type of timber, a timber treatment? I assumed treated timber was not used, mainly because I have not heard of anyone specifically using it.

    I shall stick with their softwood then for everything else, the framing, wales, mast and spars. I guess I just need to ensure it is painted well to keep the water out.

  5. #4
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    The F number is not a treated lumber, like CCA or ACA, but is a grading of strength for construction purposes - stud walls and the like. No big deal at all.

    Just make doubly sure that the softwood bunnings will sell you up there is Hoop Pine (Likely, as you've got plantations ahoy of it in QLD), and not Radiata Pine, which is the very poor cousin (not actually, completely different species) in terms of boat usability. Australian plantation radiata pine really has no place in a boat, or...well...anywhere. but there you go. Down in vic, it's the biggest farmed wood, but I guess that up in QLD its Hoop? If so, you lucky little thing you... Yeah, keeping it painted/varnished is a must, but on a trailered boat like the mayfly, it should be just fine.

    P.s. Hoop = great for masts - Radiata never on a mast. The strength difference in that application between the two is considerable.

    Good luck!

  6. #5
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    word of warning... inspect every sheet of Bunnies so-called "marine ply" before even thinking of buying it.
    The local(ish) one here had a stack of sheets labelled "marine ply".
    • No BS or AS stamp on them.
    • paper-thin outer veneers, with scabbed patches.
    • Heaps of large splits & cracks in the cores.
    • Distortion where core veneers overlapped.

    And wanted over $100 /sheet for it.

    Price check against a reputable supplier - BS1088 compliant ply imported from Malaysia or Indonesia may not be any more expensive.
    Alan J

    Nothing says "Unprofessional Job" so loudly as wrinkles in the duct tape. - B.Spencer

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by b.o.a.t. View Post
    word of warning... inspect every sheet of Bunnies so-called "marine ply" before even thinking of buying it.
    The local(ish) one here had a stack of sheets labelled "marine ply".
    Yeah - I took one (very brief) look at what they call marine ply and figured they had a different definition for 'marine' than the rest of us. I considered buying for about as long as it took me to find the price tag.

    I expect I will take a drive down to Boatcraft Pacific (only a couple of hours away) and get their Pacific Maple, I'll be using their epoxy anyway. The other option I have is a place called 'The Bunker' - a local timber yard that has a marine ply (of uncertain origin), much closer but a little dearer. Haven't had a chance to drop in there as see what it is actually like yet though.

  8. #7
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    I have no connection with Boatcraft Pacific except for being a customer. I have used their Pacific Maple plywood in my restoration and have found it to be very good.
    I am planning to purchase two more sheets and will do so online and have it delivered to Tin Can Bay (a couple of hours north of you) for about $45 freight cost - much cheaper and more convenient than your planned four hour return drive or my seven hour return drive.

  9. #8
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    Thanks for that, good to know that the Pacific Maple is OK.
    I was a little concerned that it was as cheap, or cheaper, than stuff at Bunnings or other places.
    On the other hand, I didn't expect Boatcraft Pacific would be touting anything substandard.

    Because it's not the weekend yet, and I can't get into Bunnings to look at the timber prices, I had a look on their web site - big mistake!

    Simple "structural pine" comes in so many variants. F5, F7, H3, MPG10, MPG12, MPG15, then all of these are available in 'HF2 Blue' and 'L2 Red' variations. Most of is says it is 'plantation grown', though some specifically says it's Radiata (does that mean the rest isn't?), and then they have 'structural pine' that is actually Baltic Spruce - I'm so confused

  10. #9
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    Welcome to building your own boat.. Hah.

    i'd just head in, tell em it has to be hoop pine, and see what they can do

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Asrainox View Post
    Welcome to building your own boat.. Hah.

    i'd just head in, tell em it has to be hoop pine, and see what they can do
    Actually I am quite surprised, for a big chain of 'stack 'em high - sell 'em cheap' stores, they do have a considerable number of staff who know what they are talking about (just have to pick the right one)

    I did see from their web site that all the dressed pine (the nice pretty planed wood that they keep inside) IS Radiata - going to have to sharpen my plane as well as my saw.

  12. #11
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    You really need to go to a local lumber yard. Yes, some of the wood in my boat came from bunnies, but that was usually small pieces I needed on a weekend. No ply came from bunnies as I could get AS standard marine ply elsewhere for the same price as the "BS" standard marine ply from guess where this week that bunnies is selling. You'll find that you can get Victorian ash (what bunnies usually sells as Tasmanian oak as most people can't tell the difference) in a better range of lengths for a better price and get it delivered for stuff all by checking out some other sources. You'll potentially save alot of money and get better straighter timber making your life alot easier.

    Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 2

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by tda0307 View Post
    You really need to go to a local lumber yard.
    See, I don't like this so much. You can absolutely build a decent boat with bulk-buy chainstore materials, if you choose wisely.

    Sure, a timberyard will offer you a wider range, and possibly more comprehensively supply the appropriate timbers - but if it gets in the way of convenience and being able to get the job done in an achievable way, then that's no good at all. He's already said ply from a reputable supplier - and the other softwoods on a shed stored, trailerable boat that can be taken care of will be fine, wherever they come from.

    Mind you, its true, it will (should) be cheaper from a timber-yard, even after they dress it down for you.

  14. #13
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    I'm pretty sure Boatcraft sells Hoop dunno about prices. Have a look on web site, doubt they'd sell you rubbish.
    "World's oldest kid"

  15. #14
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    Andrew,
    Just had a look at Boatcraft. They have some good Hoop Pine listed, I will check their prices against others.
    As most of my timber requirements seem to be 3/4x 1-1/2" their 31mm is too small, have to go to 41mm and plane it down, which is a shame when it is already dressed.

    tda
    I would rather go to a lumber yard, there are several around, but they don't seem to open on the weekends and I get little chance during the week. I'm sure lumber yard would be able to ensure I am getting the right stuff as I know little about the differences between various woods.

    Mainly I'm thinking to buy from Bunnings so I can buy it a bit at a time, as I go, rather than all at once (OK, it's not a big projects, but it helps to spread it out). Just have to find someone in there who does know what they are talking about. If I can work out which of their timbers is actually suitable I can get bits anytime, we are in there most weekends for something for the house or garden.

    Simon.

  16. #15
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    I never said you can't build a boat from bunnies timber! I even said i had used some myself. Curious....
    Anyway try giving a lumber yard a call. I have ordered over the phone and had timber delivered at a good price a few times. I had my sheets of marine ply and longer pieces of timber delivered that way and I didn't order it all in one go.
    I notice that the general view of the marine ply from bunnies is the same.

    Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 2

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