Timber Cut to Size ?!

[Spinny]

Finding this frustrating.

Must be over 20 years ago when I last wanted timber cut to size. All I had to do was go down to a local merchant (now a Travis Perkins) with measurements or even just a sample of architrave. A man would happily cut your timber to size or run off any length of architrave or skirting of any size you might want. Often practically while you waited. Never seemed to cost all that much and always seemed to be spot on. All the timber was stored horizontally.

 

Now I can't find anywhere that will cut small quantities of timber to size. At the moment all I want is one metre of joist cut to size to fix a step in my staircase. Finished size means I need a 47mm by 195mm cut down to 177mm. 

Found one place a 30minute drive away but only has a band saw and they cannot be certain of an accurate cut.

 

There are some internet providers but they seem to provide ''on view'' timber cut to size but not treated joist timber. Plus the delivery charge makes a small amount very expensive.

 

What has gone wrong with the world, where am I supposed to get small domestic timber requirements cut to size ?
 

[JohnMo]

3 minutes ago, Spinny said:

What has gone wrong with the world

China mostly - they supply tools dirt cheap, so most things can be done DIY, so little or no call for a man to it for you. 

[Oz07]

Probably 5  who could do that within 5 or 10 miles of me. Are you looking hard enough? Any smaller independent merchants rather than nationals

[nod]

It tends to be independents now 

We have one called Berrys Over 400 staff They still machine anything in there own shop 

[Spinny]

A local Jewson had a big sign on their fence saying 'We Cut Wood', when I went in they told me no the saw mill had been shutdown and was being removed. The nearest one that could cut anything was 25 miles away, they only had a band saw, and only one guy was trained to use it, and he was part time and reluctant. They told me cutting wood was too dangerous !

 

Can't think of any independent merchants left in my area. The odd couple just supply stuff, don't have any cutting facility. There are places that can cut sheet material to size but will not cut down timber.

 

Everything has gone internet. 

 

I take your point about cheap tools but unless you are a well equipped carpenter with the space to set up indoors and accurately set measurements to the mm ? And with the exorbitant cost of labour ? You would think it would make more sense to have a central sawmill with highly accurate, high speed/volume, fixed cutting machines and plenty of on-site wood supplies. Who has got the capability to ferry around 3m and longer stock timbers to get them cut- some tradies - not the great unwashed public/DIYer.

[Bonner]

A combination of low demand and health and safety regulations, speaking of which I don’t think anyone would machine treated timber. Maybe rethink your repair solution to utilise standard sizes?

[JohnMo]

12 hours ago, Spinny said:

Finished size means I need a 47mm by 195mm cut down to 177mm. 

A hand saw and about 5 mins of work?

 

A plunge saw or jigsaw with width gauge or a straight edge clamped in the correct place to give a final cut width required, a couple of mins and 30 mins finding everything you need.

 

Finding somewhere to do it, then travelling there and back? Suspect way longer.

[gaz_moose]

I doubt a jig saw will not cut 47mm thick wood straight. Just buy a circular saw and use that, it will come in handy for other projects.

[Temp]

If you decide to buy a cheap circular saw make sure it has a TCT blade and the hole diameter is reasonably standard so you can easily get blades.

[Spinny]

49 minutes ago, Bonner said:

Maybe rethink your repair solution to utilise standard sizes?

It is for a 1930's staircase. Just replacing an existing joist that has twisted and warped out of shape.

(Now I know why the builder's carpenter force fitted it back in)

Something has happened to timber sizes since the 1930's. e.g. 1 inch PAR was 21.5mm then, now it is 20.5mm etc etc Funny how everything gets smaller and how it gets harder and harder to find anything ''non-standard''. There are millions of 30's houses with 32 inch doors but often doors can be not available in that size - not off the shelf - ditto door lining kits.

 

Chances of me getting a straight cut with a hand saw and labouring away trying to cut down the grain - no thanks.

Can have a go with the jig saw if I must.

Things that used to be so simple - time to bury me deep I suppose.

 

[Mr Punter]

Make sure the timber is completely dry as you could lose 10mm depth in shrinkage across the grain.