Hey everyone! I'm looking to level up my woodworking skills by moving away from just using treated softwood for my garden projects. I want to try my hand at making small boxes and practice different joints. However, I'm not sure where to find small pieces of hardwood for this purpose. Is B&Q a good option for what I need, or should I be looking for a timber merchant instead? Do they typically sell offcuts or scrap pieces? Also, are there any online options where I can buy a bag of smaller hardwood pieces for practice? I've found some beautiful large pieces online, but that's too much for me at this stage. Any guidance would be super helpful!
2 Answers
You might want to check out this link for some hardwood offcuts that could be perfect for your practice: [English Woods](https://www.englishwoods.co.uk/blank-2/sawn-hardwood-board-offcuts-mixed-sizes-species-5kgupoc). Just keep in mind that while these are cheap, they're sawn and not planed square, so if you don't have tools to make them flat, it could be tough to work with. Starting with wood that's easier to manage, like beech, would be a better bet to practice your joinery without too much hassle!
If there's a local joinery nearby, hit them up! Many places let you sift through their scrap bins or buy offcuts at a good price. I've scored plenty of small pieces from my local spot – enough for practicing box making! Good luck!
Definitely a good point! Getting wood that's ready to use makes all the difference in practicing joinery. It’s a bit frustrating to work with rough pieces if you're just getting started.