Is East Brothers Timber Right for Your Hobby
Woodworking? An Honest Guide
We’ve been sawing timber for over 140 years. Most of our customers are builders, joiners, timber merchants, contractors and conservation specialists, but we regularly get asked the same question by hobby woodworkers:
Can I buy from you?
The short answer is yes — but we’re not a retail timber yard.
If you’re looking for a showroom full of perfectly machined boards to browse through, we’re probably not the right fit. If you’re happy to work with a traditional sawmill and do some of the preparation yourself, we can be an excellent source of quality timber at a fair price.
We’d rather be upfront about how we work than waste your time. This guide explains who we’re suited to, who we’re not, and how to get started if you’d like to buy timber direct from the mill.
Where We Are
We’re based on the Wiltshire–Hampshire border, within easy reach of Dorset and much of the South of England.
We also supply customers across the UK and have prepared timber for export, so distance isn’t necessarily a barrier. If you’re unsure what’s practical, get in touch and we’ll be happy to advise.
How Buying From a Sawmill Differs
Most hobby woodworkers are familiar with timber merchants and specialist woodworking suppliers. Buying direct from a working sawmill is a little different.
We don’t operate a retail showroom
Rather than browsing racks of timber, you’ll tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll select suitable boards for your project.
Most orders are prepared to specification
Because we’re a production sawmill, much of our timber is cut and prepared to order. Whether you need a single board or a larger quantity, we’ll discuss your requirements and work out the best solution.
Can I buy just one board?
Absolutely.
While many of our customers purchase larger quantities for building, joinery or commercial projects, we’re equally happy to supply a single board for a hobby project. There are no minimum order quantities, so if you only need one piece of Oak for a shelf or a board of Ash for a tool handle, that’s perfectly fine.
You’ll often get better value
Buying direct from the source means access to professional-grade timber without the additional handling and retail costs that come with traditional distribution.
Understanding Rough-Sawn Timber
One of the biggest differences between buying from a sawmill and buying from a woodworking retailer is the condition of the timber.
Most timber leaves our yard in its rough-sawn state. Before using it in a project, you’ll usually need to flatten a face, square an edge and bring it down to final thickness.
For many woodworkers, that’s actually part of the appeal.
Learning how to prepare timber teaches you how wood behaves, how grain direction affects cutting, and how to get the best from every board. Those skills stay with you throughout your woodworking journey.
We do have machinery suitable for some smaller jobs, so it’s always worth asking what preparation work we can undertake. However, it’s best to assume you’ll be carrying out at least some of the finishing work yourself.
The good news is that you don’t need a workshop full of machinery to get started. There are plenty of excellent resources online covering traditional hand-tool methods for preparing rough-sawn timber.
A few worth following include:
Richard Maguire (The English Woodworker)
Good Species to Start With
If you’re new to woodworking, it’s worth choosing species that are forgiving, readily available and affordable enough that mistakes aren’t expensive.
A single board will often provide enough material for several small projects.
| Species | Good For | Approx. Price* |
| Douglas Fir | Workbenches, workshop furniture, garden structures and timber-frame projects | £15 |
| Ash | Tool handles, stools and small furniture. Tough, attractive and pleasant to work | £22 |
| Sapele | Boxes, cabinets and decorative projects. Stable, reliable and finishes beautifully | £28 |
| Oak | Shelves, furniture and long-lasting household projects. A classic British hardwood that rewards careful workmanship | £38 |
*Guide prices for a board approximately 2m × 150mm × 25mm, supplied rough sawn. Prices are indicative only — contact us for a current quotation.
When You’re Ready for the Next Step
As your skills develop, you may decide to invest in machinery such as a thicknesser or jointer to speed up the preparation process.
That’s a natural progression for many woodworkers.
The advantage of starting with rough-sawn timber is that you learn to understand grain, movement and timber selection first. Those fundamentals remain valuable regardless of how sophisticated your workshop becomes.
When your interests eventually move towards highly figured or unusual species such as Ripple Sycamore, Bubinga or Zebrano, a specialist decorative timber supplier will often be a better choice than we are.
We’re not trying to be everything to everyone.
We’re a traditional sawmill supplying honest, good-quality timber at sensible prices. For many hobby woodworkers, that’s exactly what they need.
Get in Touch
Whether you’re an experienced woodworker or simply looking for your first board of Douglas Fir, Ash, Sapele or Oak, we’re happy to help.
We won’t try to sell you something that isn’t right for your project. If we can help, we’ll tell you what’s practical. If another supplier would serve you better, we’ll tell you that too.
If you’d like to discuss a project or get a quote, get in touch with the team today and we’ll help you find the right timber for the job.
Reach out to our expert sales team on 01794 330198.
Or you can Email your enquiry over to Mail@eastbros.co.uk We’re here to help!