Pre-Purchase Checklist
This page describes the steps needed in order to select, price up, and purchase timber.
Last updated
This page describes the steps needed in order to select, price up, and purchase timber.
Last updated
After deciding on your final design the next step is to select your timber. If you have not decided which timber you are after, click the link below for a list of preferred timbers to determine which species would be best used in your project.
Timber SpeciesTimber boards are sold and priced per meter (m) in standard ‘rough sawn’ sizes determined by the thickness and width in millimetres (mm).
The ‘rough sawn size’ will not be the final ‘cut size’ as the board will not be flat or square. Please account for the material that will be lost when you use the jointer and thicknesser to ‘dress’ the timber in the workshop.
Please use this table as a ‘standard size’ sawn timber guide.
Width | Thickness | Thickness | Thickness | Thickness |
50 | 25 | 38 | 50 | - |
75 | 25 | 38 | 50 | 75 |
100 | 25 | 38 | 50 | 75 |
125 | 25 | 38 | 50 | 75 |
150 | 25 | 38 | 50 | 75 |
175 | 25 | 38 | 50 | 75 |
200 | 25 | 38 | 50 | 75 |
250 | 25 | 38 | 50 | 75 |
300 | 25 | 38 | 50 | 75 |
A cutting list is simply a breakdown of all the timber components that will be going into the making of your project, and how these parts may be cut from timber boards in the most economical way.
Having a cut list will help streamline the processes and make it easier for you to focus on selecting the boards, rather than figuring out how much timber you require in your head. Remember to be flexible within your cutting list as stock availability is unpredictable and is constantly changing, which might mean you will need to think on your feet.
TIP: When writing your cut list always add 10-15% more material, to account for material defects, and errors in the making process.
Based off pricing provided by supplier Timber Lord, Feb 2019
Use the link below to calculate a cost estimate of each species
Species | Width mm | Thickness mm | Price per meter |
Tas Oak / Vic Ash | 150 | 25 | $13.30 |
150 | 38 | $22.30 | |
150 | 50 | $40.20 | |
Blackbutt | 150 | 25 | $25.00 |
150 | 38 | $37.30 | |
150 | 50 | $51.30 | |
Tasmanian Blackwood | 150 | 25 | $16.920 |
150 | 38 | $30.00 | |
American Maple | 150 | 25 | $16.60 |
150 | 38 | $30.20 | |
150 | 50 | $44.80 | |
150 | 75 | $75.30 | |
American Walnut | 150 | 25 | $27.80 |
150 | 38 | $43.30 | |
150 | 50 | $57.80 | |
150 | 75 | $108.80 | |
American Oak | 150 | 25 | $15.40 |
150 | 38 | $30.70 | |
150 | 50 | $47.90 | |
150 | 75 | $112.00 | |
American Ash | 150 | 25 | $13.60 |
150 | 38 | $22.30 | |
150 | 50 | $30.60 | |
150 | 75 | $57.10 |
At the MSD Workshop we have small amounts of timber which are free to use as well as larger boards available for purchase at a subsidised price. To view our current stock, speak to one of the workshop staff.
Ordering timber over the phone is a quick and easy way to have your timber delivered quickly if you know exactly what you are after.
When ordering timber over the phone it is important to be aware that as you are not personally selecting the boards you want, you won’t have control over the quality of the boards you receive. The timber may be cupped, bowed, or twisted with checking, packing marks, cracks and or knots which means you could potentially loose more material than expected when making it flat and square in the ‘dressing’ process.
When calling suppliers, we recommend calling around to a few different suppliers first (see list below) to see what timber species, sizes and prices they can offer as these may vary drastically.
Visiting a timber yard is the final option you have, which may be more time consuming but in the long run is ideal as you will get timber of good quality, that is straight and without defects.
If you purchase timber that cups and twists, you will have to spend more time machining and dressing the timber to achieve a ‘flat face’ and ‘square edge’, resulting in excessive loss of material, time and money. as you are able to choose exactly what boards you want with minimal to no defects.
For those of you who choose to visit a timber yard for the first time, it may be an experience out of your comfort zone, however the purchasing processes can be simplified into these simple guidelines.
What to bring – Most importantly is your cut list of material. Also, a tape measure to make sure the timber is at the correct width and length you are after as well as a pocket square to check the squareness of the timber. A block plane or spoke shave is also helpful to remove the rough external layer of timber to see the true colour underneath.
Ask for advice – The staff at timber yards have a HUGE amount of knowledge of the timber they stock, so if you have any questions they are there to help you with your purchase and may show you alternate timber that may be more appropriate for your project.
How to inspect timber boards - View each board by eyeing down the edge and face from one end, to identify; ‘cupping’, ‘twisting’ or ‘bowing’. Then look for; ‘knots’, ‘shakes’, ‘packing marks’ and anything else that reduces the quantity/quality of usable stock. Lastly inspect ends for ‘checking’, this is pretty common, however excessive ‘checking’ should be avoided as you will loose usable length of your timber boards.
The MSD Workshop has a loading dock so if you require delivery from a supplier this can be easily organised either over the phone or in personal at a timber yard.
Delivery often accrues an additional cost so it might be worthwhile teaming up with other students who also require delivery. If you are unsure if there are any other orders put through by students of staff, check with the Workshop staff.
Please refer to glossary if you are not familiar with any of the terms used in this article.
