Timber merchant advice

[Andy Hall]

That's not really the point.

Either one does a job properly or one doesn't.

That is true whether the wood used is cheap softwood or select walnut.

The first point is to look at the application and to select a material that one wants to use for it.

Having done that, the next step is to choose the method to produce the shelves.

It's really not that difficult.

There is really no logical connection between whether or not the shelves are for an alcove, the material used and the production method.

The point is to select what is wanted and to use the most effective method to produce an excellent result.

It makes no sense to suggest that because the project is for alcove shelves that rubbish materials and techniques should be used.

[Stuart Noble]

How about oak fencing then? There is a point at which it becomes vulgar to over-specify and over-engineer

[Guy King]

The message from Stuart Noble contains these words:

There's a bit of oak fencing at the end of my garden which has been neglected for over 30 years and is still standing. That's the fence which has been neglected for 30 years - the garden just looks like it.

[Andy Hall]

Vulgar isn't really the appropriate word.

Oak probably wouldn't make sense for fencing unless one happened to have a lot of it and the ability to machine it. OTOH, for a gate or exterior door certainly.

For shelves it's very reasonable to use it because books may be of different depths. Some people prefer to pull them all to the front of the shelf and others to push them to the back; so there can easily be shelf surface showing at the front.

[Stuart Noble]

Oak veneer would do just as well then.

[Andy Hall]

It isn't a case of "would do" but a case of what is wanted and looks the part.

You can buy solid wood furniture and you can buy veneered stuff. You can buy solid hardwood doors and veneered ones.

The veneer will "do". The hardwood does a lot better if one is discerning.

[Stuart Noble]

Ah, well if one is "discerning", that's a different matter. I like to bath in champagne as it happens.

[Andy Hall]

Well, whatever turns you on..... Dom Perignon 69?

Do you see yourself as James Bond or Basildon Bond?

[manatbandq]

So if someone want steak au poivre you'ld recommend a burger with pepper sauce thrown over it? Just like chipboard and veneer really.

If she *wants* oak, who are we to argue?

MBQ

[Stuart Noble]

Just pointing out that it's OTT

[Andy Hall]

No it isn't. The issue is simply that for you it is.

Why would you seek to limit the choice of others?

[The Natural Philosopher]

Standard socialism innit?

[Stuart Noble]

I reserve the right to disapprove of it

[Steve Firth]

Did you ever look for them?

PS, poplar isn't a hardwood.

[Guy King]

The message from Steve Firth contains these words:

Oh yes it is! At least, the poplar tree (well, there's loads of related species) are all decidious, which is the common definition of hardwood. Listed as a hardwood here, too...

[Andy Hall]

Ah yes of course...

[Andy Hall]

Yes, and with the exception of ready made joinery such as a few window frames and doors etc. plus stair rails and a few bits of trim at ridiculous prices have not seen any of them in B&Q stores.

You may have had more success than I have, or perhaps stock profile varies between stores. I've looked in perhaps 6 different ones in Berkshire and Hampshire.

I didn't suggest that it was either a softwood or a hardwood.

[The Natural Philosopher]

even balsa wood is a hardwood..

[Guy King]

The message from The Natural Philosopher contains these words:

But not, of course, a hard wood.

[The Natural Philosopher]

some of it can be. I have never seen such a high variation in density with any other wood.