6 replies to this topic

[Henrygamer]

I have seen quite a few people say they get free wood from Lowes, how? And how do I go about doing that, is there like a scrap section?
Thanks!

[The Gopher]

I've never gotten free wood from Lowes but there are other options.

• Craigslist, search in the free section for scraps lumber
  
• Firewood, not to hard to split or saw a log into boards.
  
• Pallets, a lot of pallets are still made from hardwoods (mostly oak).
  
• cabinets, usually use a high grade of plywood, ask a cabinate shop if they have scraps, you'd be suprised how little of a scrap can make a slingshot.

[jskeen]

Flooring stores like hardwood warehouse that carry hardwood flooring often have a "do not inventory" room or pile somewhere that they put leftovers from installations, damaged strips and odd bits and pieces in. It usually ends up in the dumpster eventually, so if you ask, they may let you scrounge. Hardwood flooring is milled with a tongue and groove on the sides and grooves in the bottom to allow air flow under the floor to keep it dry and minimize buckling, but these can be removed with a planer, jointer or tablesaw to give a solid smooth piece of lumber.

One hint, DONT try to remove the factory applied finish from the top face of prefinished flooring by running it through the jointer or planer. It is a baked on multiple layer catalyzed finish with wear inhibitors, and is tougher than old folks toenails! I totally trashed a freshly sharpened set of planer knives figuring this out. All it takes is one pass, and it's back to the sharpeners :-(

[rubberpower]

Pick up thrown out furniture on trash day. I have picked up table tops, stereo cabinets and all kinds of bed room and living room furniture. Old TV cabinets have some of the best wood.

[Abe_Stranger]

If you're quiet about it, one can disassemble the neighbors hardwood floors in the night...although, I don't recommend this for people allergic to priso, and/or bashes to the head with a cricket bat.

[Rapier]

Ask around building sites. Try and find hardwood floorboards being installed and ask for some off cuts. Most pieces smaller than 12" will get thrown out and the builders usually won't mind if you take it from the dumpster. Just ask first or risk getting a nail gun to the butt!
They do have some features that need dealing with like young and grooves and scallops on the under side. Saws and a plain will fix these and if they come out a bit thin just laminate.

Hype~X Australia

[M_J]

Abe_Stranger, on 03 February 2012 - 05:46 PM, said:

If you're quiet about it, one can disassemble the neighbors hardwood floors in the night...although, I don't recommend this for people allergic to priso, and/or bashes to the head with a cricket bat.

I made tons of slingshots out of a small oak coffee table.
Alternately:

You can make naturals!