Where can you get wood for projects , is certainly a colossal “column” issue in the woodworking activity , because there times that you cannot have the luxury to have the amount of money to get wood supplies , you want .
This doesn’t mean that you cannot have your precious wood .
If you want to supply yourself with wood for your projects , you should be aware that the places you can get some , are separated into two categories . These categories are :
A) Places to get wood , without spending any money .
B) Places to get wood , spending some money .
So lets’ see the ways , places and the mentality for these 2 big categories and create a mentality “map” .
1) Get Wood in from Nature .( free wood )
First of all , the basic sourse-place to get wood is nature , is the forests . In the forest you can get your wood in its primary form , and by making some shaping actions , to make it as you like .
The forestry authorities will tell you what trees – logs – branches you can cut ( usually the old ones ) , so you won’t damage the future of the forest .
This process of searching and finding free wood is a very joyful and educating process . It’s also a stress reliefing activity , because the touch with nature , is always a soul “healer” .
I’ve written a post for this , you can read it in HERE .
Attention: When you get outside in nature searching for wood , to make your woodworking projects , you should have the appropriate licences from the forestry agencies .
2) Get Wood from Carpentry places , they don’t want anymore .( free wood )
Another way to get wood without spending any money , is from carpentry places , asking and taking the wood pieces the professional carpenters don’t want .
When the pro carpenters are measuring and cutting their wooden boards for their clients , they throw away many wood pieces because their general size aren’t usable anymore .
You’ll be amazed of how many very nice wood pieces you can get from the wood boards and stuff , the professionals don’t want .
In there you’ll see many very small wood pieces you cannot do much with them , but also you’ll find wood pieces with enough sizes to create some very nice , woodworking projects .
Small tables , desks , key holders , shelves , et.c.
All the carpentry stores in my neighborhood “know” me very well , because many times i go and ask them for wood they don’t want .
Ok , i treat them a cup of coffee sometimes(!) , but the carpenters are so polite and they don’t have any “theme” to give me wood they don’t want anymore .
3) Get Wood from Carpentry places which are about to close , or they Retire their activities . ( free wood )
Another place to get wood for your projects ( with no money ) , is from carpentry stores they are about to close and they throw away some wood they cannot sell to another carpentry stores .
Unfortunately every day , stores are closing sometimes from money problems or whatever , or by carpenters who are retire and they want to “clear” their stores to rent it again .
Go there and ask them politely , if you can get some wood with no money .
Most of the times you’ll be able to get wood and if you “offer yourself” to maybe help them carrying some stuff outside , you’ll get not only your wood , but a big smile too .
You can find these “about to close” carpentry stores , in the magazine ads , in the web ads concerning your area of living and of course by having your “wood ears and antennas” , wide open for some information .
4) Get Wood from people who change decoration in their houses . ( free wood )
Another way i use very often to get my wood and of course you can do it too , is from old furniture , people don’t want anymore and they are about to throw them away .
The real solid wooden furniture are always a “golden target” for me . When i hear that someone is about to throw some furniture away , in order to change the decoration of his house or whatever .
I go there , i see what he throws away and if the wood surfaces are the ones i want , i take the furniture . Of course this person , won’t have any problem .
On the contrary i do him a favor( i suppose) by taking and carrying away furniture he doesn’t want .
After i take this wood furniture , i measure what pieces i want , i cut them and here i am . I have free wood , to continue my wooden projects .
5) Go to Professional Carpentry Stores , to buy Wood . ( money needed )
Make some clicks in the internet , to find all the professional dealers in your area and visit their sites , their facebook pages , their instagram pages , their presence in the web in general . All the professionals have web presence in out days .
Take your time and check their wood varieties , their ability to make an order maybe , the opinions in their forums from their clients , their professionalism and of course their prices .
In the professional wood dealers except the big variety of wood you can guy , you can get even impregnated wood if your woodworking plans need some of this kind of wood .
Usually when you want to make wood creations in the outdoor and you can buy wood from a store , the impegnated wood is a very good choice because their resistance in the weather conditions are high .
6) Amazon – Ebay – Alibaba – Graiglist – Fb marketplace , et.c are great places to get Wood .
If you have money , web is the “King” to search and find wood , for your projects .
Go to these platforms and have patience in order to find the pieces of wood you like in the prices you can afford . But for sure , you’ll find it .
The variety is endless and these platforms have the benefit to have wood , from all over the world and not only in your city – country .
I strongly suggest you to use them .
7) Search for Individual and Professional ads .
Of course , except the professional carpenter stores and the web , you can find and get wood to buy , from individual ads in the newpapers , magazines , web and from advertisements in the markets around your neighborhood .
Many individuals are creating some personal advertisements by themselves and they usally “stick” them in the coffee shops , the super – markets , et.c . Have your “antennas” open to see if there is something like that , near the place you live .
What are the Benefits to get wood from Professional wood stores ?
The benefits of buying wood from the professionals , are many and if can affort to do it , you won’t get dissapointed . First of all the professional stores , sell very close to perfection well dried wood .
The professionals have the “luxury” to dry their wood in the best possible places , with the best equipment , the appropriate personell to inspect the process , the best machinery for the drying and impregnation procedures .
The professionals don’t have only the knowledge to do the “job” , but they have also the equipment to do the “job” , the individuals cannot have , of course .
In a professional wood store , you can find a very big variety of wood(tropical wood , rare wood , et.c) , order the specific wood you want and let the professional salesman , do the rest .
The professional dealers have contacts , in all over the world and they can find wood , the “common” woodworkers cannot .
Another very major advantage to get wood from the pro’s , is that the danger your wood piece , to have bugs-fungi are very low .
If your wood is impregnated , the bug – fungi danger is almost zero . The bugs cannot survive the high pressures and the impregnated chemicals .
Tip for the youtube wooworking videos , in order to discover places to get wood .
Very often , in the youtube videos you see and admire the so many woodworkers around the globe , underneath the video title and before the comments , the person who created the video has links with information concerning many subjects you see in his video .
So if the wood size fits your “apetite” and the price is cheap enough for your wallet , you can make some more clicks and in a couple of days , you can have your wood outside your door .
Make you favorite cup of coffee , sit in your favorite sofa , make some clicks , get your precious wood purchase and start dreaming of the woodworking projects you want to create .
Keep Woodworking and happiness will visit you , for sure .
