Hardwood plank/slab suppliers in Auckland

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apeman

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#254439 12-Aug-2019 11:41

I've recently moved to NZ and am looking for a supplier of hardwood planks and/or slabs for furniture building.

Searching around through the usual channels has uncovered a limited number of options, mostly in west Auckland (I'm based in Beachlands).

If anyone has had any experience buying hardwood lumber in the region and can offer recommendations, I'd appreciate it. I will be visiting the yards I've found to get a feel for things, but it would be helpful to hear what people have to say.

Side-note: I'm open minded as to the exact type of wood, given the supply is very different here to what I'm used to in France. As long as it has the right properties for furniture construction, I can adapt!

cshwone

1070 posts

Uber Geek

#2294752 12-Aug-2019 13:12

Best of luck to you. Outside of Auckland it is very difficult to find anything in the small quantities a hobbyist would require.............. and don’t get me started on the prices!!!!

Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#2294898 12-Aug-2019 16:36

Most furniture grade timber in NZ is supplied in dressed planks no more than about 140mm x 43mm. You can sometimes find wider, and often thicker but stock quantities vary. I've found that making tabletops or larger pieces mean you will have to joint the planks. I don't know what you can get in France but species that are easily found are American White Oak, American Ash, Fijian Kauri, Rimu, Tasmanian Oak, Jarrah. Plus a few others I can't recall. Many are milled specifically for timber floors so stock of thicknesses greater than about 20mm can be slim.

http://whitecliffs.co.nz has a large selection advertised but you would be best to contact them directly to confirm stock is on hand.

Let me know what you find out as i'm new to Auckland too and keen to get back into making cabinetry.

apeman

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2294958 12-Aug-2019 17:06

Disrespective:

Most furniture grade timber in NZ is supplied in dressed planks no more than about 140mm x 43mm. You can sometimes find wider, and often thicker but stock quantities vary. I've found that making tabletops or larger pieces mean you will have to joint the planks. I don't know what you can get in France but species that are easily found are American White Oak, American Ash, Fijian Kauri, Rimu, Tasmanian Oak, Jarrah. Plus a few others I can't recall. Many are milled specifically for timber floors so stock of thicknesses greater than about 20mm can be slim.

http://whitecliffs.co.nz has a large selection advertised but you would be best to contact them directly to confirm stock is on hand.

Thanks for the link - I hadn't seen that supplier. I can work with planks as most of my furniture will be steel framed with wood tops. It makes the joinery a little simpler.

There's a mill down in Hamilton called Rarefind Timber that seems ideal (unless it turns out their prices are ridiculous), though I'd like to avoid a three and a half hour round trip if possible.

If push comes to shove there are always the butcher block counter-top slabs found in the big DIY stores. The trouble is that butcher block isn't always the look you're going for!

neb

11294 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2294988 12-Aug-2019 18:37

apeman:
I've recently moved to NZ and am looking for a supplier of hardwood planks and/or slabs for furniture building.

My dad had quite a collection of native timber piled up for his furniture-making when he died, if you can wait a few weeks I can see what's still left. Pickup would be from Whangaparoa.

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek

#2295116 12-Aug-2019 20:30

BBS (Boat Builder Supplies) was recommended to me : https://bbstimbers.co.nz/about/auckland/

As well as Cyprus Sawmill : https://www.cypress-sawmill.co.nz/

apeman

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2295143 12-Aug-2019 21:30

Thanks for all of the suggestions, they're extremely helpful.

neb:

My dad had quite a collection of native timber piled up for his furniture-making when he died, if you can wait a few weeks I can see what's still left. Pickup would be from Whangaparoa.

Thanks Neb, I'll send you a PM.