Where to get 'raw' wood or tree slices?

[ZedS]

Hi all,

This will sound like a daft question and I'm not sure where to post it, but here goes.

I am looking into taking up wood carving as a hobby, and need to get hold of slabs of wood to work with. Different shapes, sizes, wood types would be great. However, looking online, these are expensive and not easily available.

I am based in London. Is there any place which disposes of wood (blocks, big pieces) that I can pick up for free? Any other advice?

Thanks!

 

[Peanut Butter Man]

Just an idea but contact tree surgeons, they will cut / trim down healthy trees but the wood may need drying before you use. Another option (which is something I have done) is to buy used scaffold planks (check ebay) there are firms that dispose of them in bulk and they can also come in 3" x 10" x 10ft or more. I cut these down and glued together to make some cool looking furniture.. the wood is great also and well seasoned.

 

[AllUpHere]

Ask your question on Arbtalk. They will sort you out.

 

[Jon_B]

Also check out timber yards and maybe even the forestry commission?

 

[Socio South West]

With anything like carving quality outputs are easiest achieved with quality inputs - Nicely seasoned wood, good grain, quality tools etc etc: A tree surgeon may source you wood, but it will be green, and unless you have time and space to season it, it will shake and warp as it seasons (dries)

That's why some of the online stuff looks expensive.... but in reality it's not: Axminster used to do a lot of turning and carving woods, but the best I know for now is Yandles of Martock - they have a very wide selection of excellent wood. http://www.yandles.co.uk/timber-sawmill/c2

An ex boss of mine asked his joinery team to make his coffin from scaffold planks which led to rather a large bill for sharpening of blades and bits - not good woodworking wood at all! This sort of cast off timber is really only good for practice whittling - if you are going to get serious about it, get some good stuff, and be prepared to carve plenty of firewood before you get good.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Maybe ask at the companies that make oak/timber framed buildings/houses/garages,they must have usable off cuts?

 

[Bill1954]

How about reclamation yards, they usually have some nice old wood lying about

 

[Excel Expert]

My father does a bit of carving and lathe work. The one thing he does do is avoid any sort for reclaimed wood. This is not because it is low quality but because they often contain things like nails or staples - neither of which are good on a lathe. Using a hand held metal detector may get around that though

 

[e-vulture]

If you live near any large parks try asking their wardens/maintenance. I did a wood carving course years ago - they got all of their raw materials for free from local parks. Although you will have to wait for it "cure" (can take many years!) and you will need some decent saws to chop it up.

I can second avoiding used timber. There's always a nail that escapes visual inspection. It will ruin many a good tool. Although it's possible for the raw logs to have nails in them from bird boxes and signs it's relatively safe.

 

[Deleted member 293506]

Hi I I'm looking for free tree trunk slices and stumps for use in my garden.....any suggestions? Thanks

 

[billmccallum1957]

Hi I I'm looking for free tree trunk slices and stumps for use in my garden.....any suggestions? Thanks

try here https://www.londonpermaculture.com/

 

[mcmm]

The local lumber yard (not the merchant shop selling wood) is the place to go. Forestry Commission could help. Also contact your local council as they have departments for clearing and maintenance of wooded areas (even in a residential setting)

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

How about reclamation yards, they usually have some nice old wood lying about

This... you'll have to pay for it, but if you become a regular then the price will fall, alternatively a lumber yard or you can order from places online such as Ebay... there's some really cheap slabs on there of wood... very affordable and well priced so if you're making furniture out of it you'll easily earn it back...

Other places to try would be gumtree - I'm on there all the time looking for timber...

A much cheaper alternative would be to pop down to any old pallet company and ask for pre-cut broken down pallets... I spend about £40 and I get 400 plank... ideal for building furniture... and if you're lucky ask for hardwood pallets... much better to work with than the old pine pallets.

And then there's always good old B&Q - I grab the divider's when I'm purchasing wood, divide the wood with them... hey presto freebie wood - only been stopped once up to now