Woodturners out there - Rubberwood - where can I buy it?

[Breezy23]

Not sure if this is the right section to place this request but need to locate a wood merchant that sells rubberwood. For you cynics out there, it is the wood of the rubber producing tree which is cut down after it has spent its life producing latex.

Surrey/ Berkshire area preferred but anywhere reasonable. Thanks.

[SteveD]

Have you tried contacting specialist suppliers such as this one?:

http://www.ockendentimber.co.uk/

Even if they don't have rubberwood, they might be able to point you in the right direction.

[Breezy23]

Hi SteveD,

Thanks very much for your answer. A friend is a wood-turner (hobby) and we have asked him to make some cheese-boards and given him one we already have. He has found out it is made from rubberwood and hasn't used or heard of it before so will pass the info on to him as he doesn't have internet access to look it up for himself. Are you a wood-turner or in the trade?

[SteveD]

Here's another site (click on "Timber for Turners" at the left). However, I don't see rubberwood there.

http://www.toolpost.co.uk/system/index.html

Have a look at this site:

http://www.oakplus.com/rubberwood.htm

I'm just very much an amateur.

[dcann]

Hi there, im not a wood turner but i do know of a very good saw mill that deal with all types of wood. Im sure they would have some or at least tell you where you might get some.

Check out the web site below and see what they can offer.

hope this helps

dave

www.yandle.co.uk

[nickmo]

Hi breezy23. As above, suggest Yandles, at Martock in Somerset, are the boys for this.

Huge scruffy yard full of the most weird woods including zebra, purpleheart and various other decorative hardwoods etc. and they will tell you about suitablity of woods for certain turning projects. Call their wood centre for advice.

They do have offcuts which are probably what you want for a one off project. If you are making a c/board, you really should make this from end grain blocks, not one 'slab' because of warping and movement. again, Yandles will offer info about this.

There are a couple of timber suppliers in Surrey that offer rubberwood - see the Timber Trade Federation site for links/contacts http://www.ttf.co.uk/buying/directory/products.asp?productid=168 but these guys may want to sell you a small plantation. Check first what they have.

[Breezy23]

Thanks SteveD, dcann and nickmo, will pass this info on.