When someone wants three matching 90 cm shelf boards, one 2.7 m plank sounds perfect. It isn’t quite enough. Each saw cut removes material, and a split end can take several more centimetres out of the first usable length. At the South Hobart Tip Shop, take the buyer’s cut list and a tape measure before deciding what a stack is worth.
Find the shop at McRobies Gully
Resource Work Cooperative runs the shop at McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre, at the end of McRobies Road, South Hobart. Its work includes timber reclamation. The shop lists 8 am–4 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am–4 pm on weekends. The co-op advises calling ahead in strong winds because the site sometimes closes in rough weather. Ask what’s available if you’re travelling for a particular size. Co-op projects · Shop directions, phone and hours
Make a cut list on the shop floor
Say you want to list three matching 90 cm shelf blanks. First check that enough of the boards have the same actual width and thickness. Two boards sold as roughly 20 cm wide may look quite different when someone puts them up side by side.
| Hypothetical board | What you find | What counts towards the set |
|---|---|---|
| A, 210 cm overall | One sound, straight run of 195 cm | Two 90 cm blanks, with room for the cuts |
| B, 125 cm overall | One 96 cm clear section | One 90 cm blank |
| C, 160 cm overall | A split divides it into two runs under 90 cm | No full blank for this order |
Look along the edge for bowing and note old screw holes, notches and nail heads. Ask before moving a stack and leave cutting for home. If you can’t identify the species, photograph the end grain and describe the dimensions and finish. A claim such as “Huon pine” needs more evidence than an interesting colour. For decorative shelf stock, stick to what you can establish about the material and its previous use.
Price the collection as well as the boards
Imagine the three blanks could sell locally for $55 together. At $18 for the boards, $10 for the trip, $4 for consumables and $12 for your time, $11 remains. If you’d have to hire a trailer for another $25, the same purchase would be $14 short. These are example amounts. Measure the opening and load length of your vehicle and get a real transport quote before paying. The co-op also lists a delivery contact. Resource Work Cooperative FAQ
Photograph the boards together, then photograph a ruler across their width and thickness. List the shortest clear length in the set, the pickup suburb and any holes the photo doesn’t show. A buyer who knows the stock fits their project can decide whether the drive is worthwhile before either of you starts loading.