The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Buildings & planning => Topic started by: Womble on October 29, 2015, 06:13:35 pm

Title: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: Womble on October 29, 2015, 06:13:35 pm

So I've been ringing around our local sawmills trying to find something cheap to clad our new woodstore with. I was after something like this


(http://powerpictures.crystalgraphics.com/photo/wooden_background_unplaned_rough_old_boards_bark_cg8p5404584c.jpg)
or this


(http://texturelib.com/Textures/wood/planks%20new/wood_planks_new_0005_02_preview.jpg)


to make a "hit and miss" style (http://www.wealdenheartwood.co.uk/woodland-blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/P1020942-1024x768.jpg) wall, which will give maximum ventilation for the drying wood. It can be rustic as hell - it's a log store at the end of the day. However, all our local places only stock traditional sarking planks, which are going to work out really expensive. Perhaps all the bark and offcuts are going for wood chip biomass these days  ??? .


So, can anybody tell me who else I should try for this, and what I need to ask for?


Thanks!  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 29, 2015, 06:20:16 pm

Do you have any local foresters that offer an on-site sawmill service?  We used a local chap ten years ago and he planked all the wood for us - we're still using it but I suspect not everyone will want the bits with bark on, especially if you offer to take it away.

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: Scotsdumpy on October 29, 2015, 06:58:06 pm

Probably too far for you but gordonsawmills.com is near Peterhead and would do slab wood for you.

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: doganjo on October 29, 2015, 10:07:22 pm

Pallets too cheap and nasty for you?   :innocent: That's what mine is made of

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: Old Empty Barn on October 30, 2015, 01:37:45 am

Hi Dave,  Try Sandy at Treeshape, round the corner from my place, he offers this service on his website.

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: Jukes Mum on October 30, 2015, 08:57:12 am

We got tree strippings from a sawmill (they called it Slab wood).
Only about £30 or £40 for enough to make a sheep shelter and lots left over.

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: bazzais on October 30, 2015, 01:25:47 pm

Scafold companies - you can get some good 12 foot lengths at £2 a piece.

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: Carse Goodlifers on October 30, 2015, 10:34:55 pm

Knapp Sawmill up the hill from us here in the Carse do bales of 'offcuts' for very little money (I think).
I've never bought any bales from them but looking at them, there is some pretty good useable wood in them.  Each bale is different.
Collection only about 10ft long (?) - you'd need a good size trailer anyway.
I know some folk just buy the bales and chop them up for firewood instead of buying logs.

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: oor wullie on October 31, 2015, 10:45:53 am

Your initial thoughts are right though, as to why it is hard find what you are looking for

Most of the slabs/backs that a few years ago would have been waste that sawmills would give away for next to nothing are now chipped and sold to the mills producing pellets.

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: Hellybee on November 29, 2015, 10:43:19 am

Scaffolding planks?

Title: Re: Source of cheap shed timber
Post by: Womble on November 29, 2015, 11:31:36 am

Thanks All,

I managed to find a place selling sarking at a very good price, so I just went with that in the end (particularly since I need quite a bit of actual sarking anyway for another job).

I'm sure not the cheapest way to do it, but it should last a long time.