DIY gazebo

Swasterix

Good morning forummers!

Following on from my previous thread (Pergola of death), I’m planning to build a gazebo in its place like the photo. I’ve seen the kits you can buy online, but at £1500-£2000 minimum I’m sure I can knock something together for less than half the price. 

I’m in the process of sourcing materials, but I’m struggling with the posts. I prefer the chunkier look, so would ideally like 5x5 or 6x6. It would also ideally need to be planed. Everything I’ve found so far is either rough sawn or incised. 

So- anyone have any idea where I can source 3m lengths of 5x5 or 6x6 planed, treated posts? Do they exist? Would accept 4x4 if not, although struggling to find them at a reasonable price too!

As always, thanks in advance!!

Apodemus

Might be easier and cheaper just to buy a cheapish electric planer and tidy up the posts yourself?

Alanp

Do you have a local sawmill or fencing company local...? try them

Swasterix

Apodemus said:

Might be easier and cheaper just to buy a cheapish electric planer and tidy up the posts yourself?

I did consider that as I own a planer. Will hold that in reserve for worst case scenario. If I can find some already planed for a reasonable cost I’d rather avoid the hassle and potential for mistakes. Although guess I could practice on the old timber from the pergola!

Cheers

Swasterix

Alanp said:

Do you have a local sawmill or fencing company local...? try them

No sawmill, but I didn’t consider fencing companies. Will have a ring around, thanks!

TELLIT01

Unless you are living somewhere very remote I would have thought you would have a timber merchant within about an hours drive.  They would definitely be the best option if you can find one.

Swasterix

TELLIT01 said:

Unless you are living somewhere very remote I would have thought you would have a timber merchant within about an hours drive.  They would definitely be the best option if you can find one.

Apologies, I think I’ve misunderstood the previous posters turn of phrase. I was envisioning sawmill - chop tree down, strip bark, chop, chop, chop. Not timber merchants - get timber delivered, store in huge pile, sometimes chop. 

There are many timber merchants in the local area, but nobody seems to stock 5x5/6x6. 

FreeBear

Some branches of Jewsons have a timber yard with the associated machinery to cut & plane timber.

If you are having timber planed to size, be warned, you usually lose the first ~200mm that is fed in to a thicknesser/planer.

Swasterix

FreeBear said:

Some branches of Jewsons have a timber yard with the associated machinery to cut & plane timber.

If you are having timber planed to size, be warned, you usually lose the first ~200mm that is fed in to a thicknesser/planer.

Ok cheers, I’ve got a Jewsons local to me. Will give them a bell. 

TELLIT01

Swasterix said:

TELLIT01 said:

Unless you are living somewhere very remote I would have thought you would have a timber merchant within about an hours drive.  They would definitely be the best option if you can find one.

Apologies, I think I’ve misunderstood the previous posters turn of phrase. I was envisioning sawmill - chop tree down, strip bark, chop, chop, chop. Not timber merchants - get timber delivered, store in huge pile, sometimes chop. 

There are many timber merchants in the local area, but nobody seems to stock 5x5/6x6. 

They may not stock the sizes you want but will be the people best placed to source it.