Reply To: Getting oak in the UK
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Well this is becoming a bit of an adventure!
I picked up an 8×3″ beam on Friday. It was apparently air dried for at least a year but it’s still at around 40% moisture content in places. I couldn’t do anything with it until today and it’s already checked badly. It also isn’t the grade I was after and contains the pith, so the wastage is going to be phenomenal. I’ve managed to get the legs for the coffee table and enough breadboard ends for three boards and still have half the beam left. However, there’s little hope of getting decent lengths of clear 7/8″ timber. Whatever is cut from it has still got to dry, too.
So, it’s back to the original plan if anyone’s still interested – buying big batches of kiln dried 1″ material.
I think this is the cheapest place I’ve found for kiln dried oak and it’s only a 20 minute drive from where I live so it’d save at least £40 on delivery (or £80 on a pallet delivery from another supplier). Have a look and if anyone wants in on an order, post here or send me a PM with how many boards you’re after, even if it’s only one or two:
http://www.uk-oak.co.uk/product/Top_Quality_Qf1_Kiln_Dried_Oak_Board
Due to the minimum order quantity, it makes the most sense to go for the 250+mm wide boards, up to 2m length (else they won’t fit in my car!). I’m happy to place the order, pick everything up and hold it until you can collect it or arrange a courier.
George.