I live in Ottawa (Canada). I was wondering if anyone on this newsgroup is
from the area and can offer me some advise.
I get most of my wood right now at Home Depot, which is convinient, but
expensive. I'm now looking to build a maple bed frame, and HD does not
carry enough of what I need, and it would cost me a small fortune. I also
need some cherry for another project I am working on. What is the best
source for wood? Is it better to order it, or is there a local store that
offers it at a good price?
Also I need some clear plastic -- I want to build some tool storage shelving
for my tools with a clear plastic doors to protect from sawdust. I have no
clue where to get that. (I was considering glass, but I'm scared it would
break).
Finally, for the bed posts, I need to use a lathe. Is there somewhere in
Ottawa I can outsource this work instead of spending $600?
Thanks in advance,
John
John Smith asks:
>I live in Ottawa (Canada). I was wondering if anyone on this newsgroup is
>from the area and can offer me some advise.
>
>I get most of my wood right now at Home Depot, which is convinient, but
>expensive. I'm now looking to build a maple bed frame, and HD does not
>carry enough of what I need, and it would cost me a small fortune. I also
>need some cherry for another project I am working on. What is the best
>source for wood? Is it better to order it, or is there a local store that
>offers it at a good price?
>
>Also I need some clear plastic -- I want to build some tool storage shelving
>for my tools with a clear plastic doors to protect from sawdust. I have no
>clue where to get that. (I was considering glass, but I'm scared it would
>break).
>
>Finally, for the bed posts, I need to use a lathe. Is there somewhere in
>Ottawa I can outsource this work instead of spending $600?
I'd bet that a trip to a Lee Valley store will provide you with the means to
answer all your questions in one place.
Check the store out and talk to the staff.
Charlie Self
"We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a *part* of NATO. We have a firm
commitment to Europe. We are a *part* of Europe."
Dan Quayle
Hi John,
I use to buy my lumber from Adams and Kennedy in Manotick and still do on the
odd occasion but have found a few smaller operators who offer good product at 25
-50% less the A&K and appreciate your business. One is Bell Lumber in Renfrew,
another if you are prepared to spend some time picking is Barr Lumber in
Pakenham and there is an individual just north of Arnprior who runs a kiln and
dries lumber for himself and others who have bought a log. If you want his name
and number email me (remove the " stamp" from my address ). Cheers, JG
John Smith wrote:
> I live in Ottawa (Canada). I was wondering if anyone on this newsgroup is
> from the area and can offer me some advise.
>
> I get most of my wood right now at Home Depot, which is convinient, but
> expensive. I'm now looking to build a maple bed frame, and HD does not
> carry enough of what I need, and it would cost me a small fortune. I also
> need some cherry for another project I am working on. What is the best
> source for wood? Is it better to order it, or is there a local store that
> offers it at a good price?
>
> Also I need some clear plastic -- I want to build some tool storage shelving
> for my tools with a clear plastic doors to protect from sawdust. I have no
> clue where to get that. (I was considering glass, but I'm scared it would
> break).
>
> Finally, for the bed posts, I need to use a lathe. Is there somewhere in
> Ottawa I can outsource this work instead of spending $600?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> John
On 8-Aug-2003, "John Smith" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I get most of my wood right now at Home Depot, which is convinient, but
> expensive. I'm now looking to build a maple bed frame, and HD does not
> carry enough of what I need, and it would cost me a small fortune. I also
> need some cherry for another project I am working on. What is the best
> source for wood? Is it better to order it, or is there a local store that
> offers it at a good price?
Lumber suppliers seem to like to hide. Many aren't even in the yellow pages.
Look around for small mills in the area. Also, take a look at this web site:
http://members.rogers.com/wsguthrie/suppliers.htm
Wood specialists won't necessarily be cheaper than HD. I know some will
require you to buy a huge piece to resaw or pay for them to resaw. HD, by
selling you only what you need, ends up cheaper. Not a problem if you're
constantly bringing in wood, but for small, one-off projects, paying $200 to get
$60 worth of wood and then having lots of leftover is a pain.
> Also I need some clear plastic -- I want to build some tool storage shelving
> for my tools with a clear plastic doors to protect from sawdust.
HD, Revy/Rona and others stock various sizes of Lexan (polycarbonate) and
plexiglass. The former is particularly tough and would be a good choice.
Mike
"John Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I live in Ottawa (Canada). I was wondering if anyone on this newsgroup is
> from the area and can offer me some advise.
>
> I get most of my wood right now at Home Depot, which is convinient, but
> expensive. I'm now looking to build a maple bed frame, and HD does not
> carry enough of what I need, and it would cost me a small fortune. I also
> need some cherry for another project I am working on. What is the best
> source for wood? Is it better to order it, or is there a local store that
> offers it at a good price?
>
> Also I need some clear plastic -- I want to build some tool storage shelving
> for my tools with a clear plastic doors to protect from sawdust. I have no
> clue where to get that. (I was considering glass, but I'm scared it would
> break).
>
> Finally, for the bed posts, I need to use a lathe. Is there somewhere in
> Ottawa I can outsource this work instead of spending $600?
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> John
John:
Barr Lumber, just west of Packenham (613) 624-5273 is a small sawmill
with a kiln. I've purchased lumber from them many times. If they have
what you want on hand when you want it, their prices are excellent,
only a fraction of what HD charges. Plan to pay in cash for the best
deal. Harry Barr can also be reached at home in the evenings at
624-5363.
I also have a Smiths Falls telephone number (613)283-7334 currently
advertising various varieties of kiln-dried hardwood, including the
maple you are looking for.
If you need the rough-sawn wood planed to thickness, you should
enquire whether any supplier you choose can so this for you.
Randy Warren (613) 256-9663) runs a small sawmill near Packenham and
may have what you want, but does not have a kiln, so you would have to
plan om air-drying the lumber under cover for about a year.
In Ottawa, Cliff Ralph (613)521-1938 (926 Garwood Ave) sells unplaned
kiln-dried hardwood lumber from a shed in his back yard at attrctive
prices, not as attractive as Barr Lumber, but if you don't need much
it is cheaper than driving a long distance, and much cheaper than Home
Depot. Because his volume of sales is not large, he is not required to
charge GST on his sales. I can recommend him highly. You may be able
to arrange for him to plane the lumber for you.
I hope this helps.
Don