Thread: Woodworkers in Singapore?

Welcome. Nice to find another woodworker in SGP

I realize that this is an Australian site which to people like me in Singapore, a great blessing as Australia (and NZ) is closer to us than the US, UK, Canada or Europe where the concept of DIY and in particular woodworking thrives and from where hobbyists like me tend to get our supplies (spelt: EXPENSIVE due to shipping distance). Nevertheless in the absence of a local forum here, I think this forum is a great place for us to share notes and tips including local shopping tips. But I wish there were more followers in Singapore and perhaps we could grow into a local community here on the sideline of the Australian one.

I share the same frustrations as a number of S'pore members here. More than a decade (or was it 2?) ago there was HANDS at Upp. Bt. Timah where I remember you could saw purchased raw timber to your required dimension. HANDS is now history. All the existing "DIY" shops in S'pore, in my opinion, makes great mockery of the term "DIY", as compared to the fine stores in Australia. I very much drool over online webcatalogs of such Australian stores. At most, these "DIY" shops in S'pore should be called "spare parts and hardware stores" and that is already according them great dignity. They are all crap.

I embarked on wood working not long ago. Actually this had to do with my passion for building Tube Amps - I like using timber chassis and I have spent quite a lot getting material from Rocklers and eBay but this can't go on forever. I have also embarked on making electric guitars and the urgency of sourcing locally became even more evident. With due respect to the great stores in Australia where you can always be assured to get stuff you need, I would like to share a couple of local discoveries I made here in Singapore. Not much but it was a great start for me, and I hope S'pore members here could use these tips.

I have had Kenwood on my list for some time but have not tried them. I found another great raw timber supplier where you can get Ash, Beech, Chengal, Cherry, Maple, Merbau, Nyatoh, Oak, Teak and even Walnut! This is Yee Heng Teak Products - take a look at thier simple page: Yee Heng Teak Products For my guitar, I got Maple and Teak from them, all sawn and thicknessed to the main dimensions I required. The service is EXTREMELY good. Look for Amy who is co-owner (tell her that Eugene sent you!). Yee Heng Teak actually caters to DIYers! There are also others such as Hong Wen Hardware Timber and Kai Lim Builders Merchants: Kai Lim Builders Merchants

I was elated to have finally found the timer I needed. Then onto tools and machinery which was another nightmare for DIYers in S'pore. Yes I remember the shop at Scotts with extremely respectable range. But you really need somewhere more affordable. One place where ALL contractors go is: HOMELY Hardware Pte Ltd The Home of Hardware : Homely Trade - Homely Supply - Homely Wholesale They carry a HUGE selection of equipment for small and large needs. However do not expect too much for service, they don't even read their emails. But go down to their flagship store at Ubi, you won't regret it. Do note that they do not have ALL equipment but mainly what contractors would use - which is extremely good enough. I couldn't get a bandsaw from them but I found another haven for machinery at: ...:::World of Machinery:::... which is located at Jalan Besar Plaza. Go pay them a visit and get their catalog book. Service is satisfactory for me. Take note that they do not open on weekends.

I provided their respective weblinks above in order that you may know their exact whereabouts and opening hours (except for Hup Hong which was not indicated online and I found out the hard way!) I have just bought a new house and I am so looking forward to using one of the bedrooms as my workshop! In the meantime I am gradually building up my database of such local retailers. My next mission would be making Hi-End speakers and I do need MDF - which is another great pain in S'pore - try getting some from Sg. Kadut and you will know what I mean.

Anyway, to all woodworking enthusiats here in Singapore, appreciate if you could keep in touch with me and let's try to build this community. You can mail me at [email protected]

Sincerely...n Cheers!!

Hi, welcome.

If you need ply or MDF go down to Ban Heng Long Trading at Townshend Road very near Jalan besar plaza. They are able to provide ply of most thickness and MDF. They cut to your requirements. I get my toys.. oops tools mostly from that area. A couple of speciality shops like bolts/nuts, also a Stanley distributer there. Unfortunately still have not found anyone that carries Lie Nielsen. Put me on your list to get together email at [email protected]. There is another member on this forum Yin also into guiter making.

Hi and thanks for the tip Richard! One less problem for me with the MDF!
Sure, will keep in tight touch! Cheers!

Little Festo, who is a forum senior member told me he he going to Singapore mid year to show case woodturning for the Queensland Gov. PM him and he might tell you more about it. If he does go, make sure you see him as he is a v/g woodturner. Check out his previous posts to see his work.

Cheers

PS Peter I hope you don't mind. You can bash me tomorrow!

After deliberating with myself for quite some time, finally went down again to Hup Hong but this time came back with a bandsaw and a belt+disc sander. Take note that any lunch time purchases will be without service!! Had to hand-carry them to my car myself but they were not heavy though, just what I wanted - sturdy table top machines. Also do note that prices quoted are before 7% GST. Had a surprise there but the prices were still acceptable to me. And do remember to negotiate.Cheers!

I am sure you could pick up free green timber in Singapore if you keep your eyes open . You have huge street trees which must come down in storms occasionaly and I immagine your council workers must be just as happy as ours to have someone take some away for them . I travel to Singapore every so often as my wife comes from there and her sister still lives there . I remember drooling over a big log being cut up in Bt. Timar last time I was there.
Ted

Yes Ted, I drool the same too. Contemplated speaking with NParks workers to carry these logs into my car but never happened. Idea is not dead though, but I do not have any kild drying facility but I have seen a video made in the UK on how to do one with pieces of plywood, poly sheets and heaters. Thanks.

I meant "KILN" drying facility....

I have some pine 'branches' . Dont think can call them logs haha. From christmas past, abt 7 or 8 since 1999. Should be very dry and stable? If any local woodie wants it let me know. Was thinking of using it years down the road for my walking stick hahh.

Guess everyone knows this already but what the heck - DO wear gloves when working. Guess I got complacent with my sander - especially one that has 2 rotating parts - horizontal belt sander with a vertical rotating disc sander (why on earth can't they put in place a switch to deactivate one or the other??). Was darn careless paying attention only to the belt and forgot the rotating one existed - AWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!

By the way, can someone in Singapore tell me where to buy sanding belts from? I am looking for a 4" x 36" one......

Hello Singapore Woodies,

I am planning to get some stuff from AUZ from CARBA-TEC - Woodworking Tools and Woodworking Machines. Router spiral upcut bits, dimond sharpening plate etc. Would any one like to join in to purchase from carbatec so we can share the shipping? I plan to order them by mid of May.


Cheers
Richard

Originally Posted by timwilk

I recently joined the forum and see that there is quite a strong international contingent to the members listing. Unfortunately I do not see how you can sort the members list by "Location" to know who else in in your area or country. Any members in Singapore? I have been resident here for many years but never come across anyone with the same interest in woordworking or woodturning. I am a complete novice and still putting together my workshop but just the difficulty of finding good quality tools here suggests that it is not a popular pass-time.
I'd be interest to meet anyone with the same interest here.

I'll be in Singapore as part of a Tourisum Queensland Expo. I'll be there from the 1st to the 9th June. I'll have some turned and carved vessels and vases and some sculpted pieces as well. The expo is at Vivo City. Come a say hello to me and my mate Jeff. PM me if you like.

Peter

Hi Peter.

Not a woodturner but keen to see you in action. See you at Vivo. Cheers.

Richard