Source of cheap hardwood near Sunshine, VIC

Hi,

I’m after some cheap hardwood, something like 10 x 1.8 meter lengths of 90x20. Exact size/material/quality is not important, just hoping to save on cost. I'd be happy to break down a hardwood pallet as long as it's clean and not contaminated with anything. I'm going to be making a small Hardwood box for low temperature meat smoking (aroung 110degC).

I'm new to Melbourne so not too familiar with local suppliers, can anyone advise on where might be good for this? Most of the places I've googled seem to be really expensive, I was hoping to save a bit by using low-grade timber.

Was hoping to spend no more than about $40, is that possible?

Thankyou all in advance. :):)

Bunnings are always trying to get rid of pallets. Not sure how many of them would be hardwood but worth a try?
I pay 1$/linear meter for 4x2 beams from a nearby junk/recycling place (but I’m in NSW) - piles of it in a field - but you need to be able to joint and thickness the stuff to turn it into anything useful. Likely to be similar places near you.

You can still pick up free h/w from building sites, occasionally (or the skip out front). But be prepared to put some work in cleaning it up.
TM

Well looks like a Junkyard might be a good idea, does anyone know of any in Melbourne that would be worth checking out? Googling Junkyards just seems to give places that want to buy scrap metal, do these places generally sell as well?

maybe check a list like this? Construction and Demolition Recycling - Planet Ark Recycling Near You - Brought to you by Bingo Industries

Have a look on gumtree — that’s how i found my happy little cluster of banjo-pickers. Plug in ‘hardwood’ or similar

I have half built a wood kiln - the press and case is in place but not the electronics and electrics. I use this to dry hardwood fence palings. They are 15mm or so by 100mm or so by 1.5 or 1.8m long. By the time I clean them up with the thicknesser or plane they are more like 10 - 12 mm which is ideal for small boxes. It is the cheapest hardwood I have found. Somewhere around $2 per LM from Bunnings.

I looked at pallets at one stage however the free ones are all radiata pine. They are hard work and not pleasant to dissassemble - always come away with cuts and scratches.

Cheers Paul