Funny. In Malaysia, land of rampant logging (legal and illegal), I can’t seem to find really nice wood. Well, maybe the wood is nice, but it is stored horribly. It’s typically kept out back behind the hardware store under a big tin roof, all stacked right on top of each other.
So you can imagine that I would be somewhat tempted by the beautiful boards lined up at the back of Ace Hardware (there are a few branches of Ace here in Kuala Lumpur). I’m so glazed over that I don’t even realize that they’re really just laminated poplar and oak, sold for shelving. On the bright side, though, the surfaces are flat and smooth.
Here are the prices of these boards – let me know if they are particularly high or low; my guess is insanely high. Prices have been converted to U.S. dollars:
poplar:
1x12x36: $29.29
1x6x72: $21.28
oak:
1x12x48: $50.57
1x12x36: $44.71
1x8x72: $53.05
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February 11, 2008 at 10:51 am
Dave
Hi Eric,
Those prices are high! By my calculations, you are paying $7.09 per board foot for the narrow poplar board and $9.76 per board foot for the wide poplar board. The oak is worse… about $13.38 per board foot for the 8″ wide board.
By comparison, I can get poplar for about $2 – $2.50 a board foot for 4/4 stock here in Chicago. Red oak can be had for around $3.50 – $4 per board foot for 4/4 stock.
Dave
April 16, 2008 at 2:17 am
Clark
Eric,
Try to look for the malaysian cengal. They’re the crown jewel of malaysian lumber.
Clark
December 1, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Dunstan
Ref. to Dave. I having problem buying wood I need for wood working in Sarawak, Malaysia. Imagine buying a 2″ x 4″ x 12′ a medium hardwood at RM30.00. in my Bintulu, my hometown. Bet you, we might be importing wood from your country within the next 10 yrs .
January 6, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Rick
Eric, I’m artist and just moved to KL. Im looking for wood supplies, and general tools. Where are the Ace Hardware stores located, I live near Chinatown. Thanks!
January 6, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Rick
just found this site: http://www.acehardware.com.my/location.html and gave HQ a call. No one there is sure which branch sells wood, or if they do at all. Any advice? Also, yesterday I saw a section of town that had a lot of tile suppliers all on one street, any equivalent for wood? Thanks in advance.
February 13, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Sam
I have some wood supplier from Malaysia, would you like to get more information? contract me ong-92@hotmail.com
August 11, 2010 at 1:25 pm
ilhomjon
i need to buy a lot of wood but i do not now where and how can i buy wood. and i also need some office that works with woodmarket to buy and sent it to my country. please send me any kind of site or information about wood such as its price or something
August 11, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Eric
Hi, where are you? Your email address says Russia but your IP address says Kuala Lumpur. If you’re in KL, you can buy wood from any hardware supply shop. Plus there are lumberyards in places like Kajang.
If you’re outside the country, sorry I can’t help! But I’m sure that wherever you are, there are places that sell wood. Good luck!
August 28, 2010 at 7:31 am
Chew
HI there Eric,
I am very keen in finding out where did you purchase all those wood planks as i am also trying to start woodworking in Malaysia as a hobby =)
August 28, 2010 at 9:45 am
Eric
There are lots of hardware stores in the KL area that carry rough as well as surfaced lumber. You just have to ask around! Start with your standard kedai logam and they might know…
September 28, 2010 at 2:19 pm
3D
Hi, really nice to see someone in KL do wood working, I too have been looking for a place to buy nice wood as I want to do some panelling myself in the house. Where is your lumberyard because Ace and other places are outrageous in prices?
September 28, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Eric
I usually just found a hardware store that had a supply of lumber in the back. There are many of them in the KL area – just ask at any local hardware store and I’m sure they would be able to help.
You could also check lumberyards. There is one (or at least used to be) in Kajang, on Jalan Reko heading towards UKM. They do work with individuals as well as contractors/builders so check it out!
September 10, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Lucy Nguyen
who is selling laminate flooring origin malaysia ? contact me : namthinhphatco@hotmail.co.uk
March 11, 2012 at 9:44 am
Abg Fidauf
we have a lots of used hardwoods available for local and also export. if interested please e-mail to me your detail to abgfirdauf@asia.com.