Raisedbed, wood issue B&Q

[SueSteve]

I went to B&Q today to buy another piece of wood for my raised beds.
I usually buy a certain length, depth, width and get them to cut it to the required size, I have been doing this since January this year, and they have seen me a fair bit.
Anyway, I went in today, got my wood (quiet heavy nearly 4m long, carrying it by myslef!), took it to the desk and asked if someone was available to cut it to the correct length for me.
I was told NO, it was against Health and SAfety regs., European H&S regs to be precise, for them to cut my piece of 'treated' wood. And there is a sign telling me that they cannot cut treated wood!!! Apparently!!!
Well rather disappointed I took the wood back, dumped it on the floor next to where I got it from, I'm sorry, especially if someone then tripped over it, but by then it was just too heavy to mess with. I looked for a sign that said that they could not cut treated wood, I couldn't find one.
I did not want treated wood anyway, I don't think the other wood that I bougth (from same place in same aisle, same dimensions etc) is treated, but apparently it must have been. I looked for a sign, label or anything that could have told me that it was treated, nothing. It's label said Sawn wood and gave its dimensions.
So as I was then in a rush to get children I very disappointedly walked out of the shop and wrote them a polite email when I got home.
I am annoyed at my wasted trip to say the least.
I am now going to research what H&S regs they may have been on about!

[ohareward]

Treated timber here has to have a small label on the end of each stick of timber, regardless of size, to state what type of treatment the timber has had. Treatment of the timber does not penetrate right into the centre of the wood. So if it is cut it will not withstand the rigours of time. How Health & Safety comes into it I don't know. Too much PC.

Robin

[rmenmuir]

I've heard of this happening in DIY stores but don't know the reason. The point, however, is why are you buying new timber to make raised beds? In this age of reduce, resuse and recycle I'm sure you could could find some suitable wood elsewhere. If not at the local tip try signing up to your local Freecycle group and putting in a request for it - it's free!

[SueSteve]

Thanks for the replies.
rmenmuir, I havent had any luck with the local freecycle group, they split into smaller groups about a year ago, and it's got ridiculous, too many people asking for luxury items, people taking things for ebay and car boots, I am really losing interest in it at the moment, along with many other people!
Would prefer to use old wood, if only I could find some!
Sue

[mybarnconversion]

Treated wood contains some toxic chemicals >>

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... _107201207

I guess B&Q can't be bothered with providing protective gear.

[rmenmuir]

You're right about Freecycle - I've noticed people wanting new mobile phones and even, this week, Nikon camera lenses! You've prompted me into giving up on them.
Another thought for lengths of wood - are there any building sites near you? You might get some long off-cuts and it would save them having to pay to take them to the tip - ask the foreman obviously!

[Muddypause]

Treated wood contains some toxic chemicals >>

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... _107201207

CCA was banned Europe wide (and elsewhere in the world, too; dunno about in America, where that site seems to be based) a few years ago. Tanalised timer is now treated with 'Tanalith E', or similar, which still contains copper and some other stuff, but has done away with the chromium and arsenic compounds.

[wulf]

You're right about Freecycle - I've noticed people wanting new mobile phones and even, this week, Nikon camera lenses! You've prompted me into giving up on them.

I'm not giving up on Freecycle just yet but I am tempted to filter out all the "WANTED" messages. That seems to add a lot of noise to the system. A friend of mine is experimenting with creating an alternative site that looks like it might work well, if he finishes it and gets enough people involved (more chance of filtering out noise).

Wulf

[Lord Azrael]

Firstly, you're very likely to be paying over the odds for the wood buying it at B&Q. Have you not got a local sawmill or builders merchant?
Our local builders merchant has the facility to set up a free account for you and then will deliver to your house for free where I cut it to whatever sides I want for building. I then also have a month to pay for it, all for a lot less than the big hardware stores!

For recyled wood, check with your local recycling site, they will probably have a big skip full of wood that you may be able to get some from.
I use a lot of recyled wood, most of which I got from the RAF some years ago including hundreds of oak fence panel stakes, very useful!

[Thomzo]

Hi Suesteve

Would pallets be of any use to you? How far are you from Swindon. I have loads that I am trying to get rid of at work.

Cheers
Zoe

[ina]

One of my neighbours works for a glazier and brings home all the packaging they have... Sturdy wooden longish box things. He's built several sheds out of them and uses the rest for heating. So it might be worth asking a local glazier what they do with their "waste" - they have to pay quite heavily to get rid of it!

[SueSteve]

Thansk for the ideas everyone, I'll check out the timber merchants at the weekend, or even on my way home fromwork this afternoon, if I am not too tired!
Thanks for your kind offer of pallets Thomzo, Swindon is around 40miles away, so too far, and unfortunately I have no transport.
Sue

[Thurston Garden]

I would agree with the Freecycle comments. Here, there's far more Wanted posts than offered. I had not even considered filtering them, but am tempted! I have seen people asking for a car here recently

I too buy wood from a builders merchant - much cheaper and delivery is often free. The local saw mill is the place to buy fence posts here - and a bottle of whisky gets you a load of bark for mulching on paths etc, delivered!