"Bill" wrote in message
...



I'm open for suggestions though. I'm finding that building a "small
factory" isn't too easy--and not too cheap either! ; )

Thanks,
Bill



There are some strategies you can adopt to reduce the cost of materials.
Mine is buying at auctions, - liquidations, deceased estates, surplus
inventory, etc.
Using a few basic strategies, it's often possible to buy for a fraction of
retail cost.
It has served me very well. My last lumber purchase was about 5 years ago, -
I ended up with over 6 tons of structural pine and Jarrah for about AUD$300.
(That would have been about US$180 back then.) That's way less than firewood
price. Still got about 2 years supply left.
My advice to those new to auction buying is as follows:
1/. Attend at least 2 or 3 auctions without buying. This gives you a better
idea of how they are conducted and a general idea of the prices being
fetched.
2/. When you do feel confident enough to bid, make sure you have established
a maximum amount that you are prepared to go to. Stick to that. Absolutely!
If your limits are below the market, revise them and wait for the next
auction. Never change them while the auction is in progress.
3/. Research. Know what you are bidding on. Once it is knocked down to you,
you have no recourse. (That's how it operates here in Oz, don't know about
where you are.) I once bid on some cans of paint that I had no intention of
buying, but they were so cheap I put my hand up. There were about ten 4
litre cans of white paint in a stack. I got them for $1 each. When I went to
collect them, I found they were a display sample and there was over 100 cans
of the stuff! It was all listed in the catalogue but I hadn't researched it.
(Paint anyone?)
4/. Be prepared to bid against the dealers, - they are buying to re-sell and
you are competing with them. This means you are going to be buying in bulk,
but in general, very cheaply. The average Mom and Pop can't handle the
bigger lots, so it's basically you and the dealers. They basically set the
prices. Your task is to make a nuisance of yourself. Make no secret of the
fact that you are merely after one or two bulk lots and then you will be
satisfied. If a lot is within your price range, make a bid just before it is
knocked down. One bid only. If a dealer really wants it, he will have to
raise his bid. Do this with any lot that falls within your parameters. This
will get the attention of the dealers. If you don't end up with anything,
you will have cost the trade bidders the price of 2 bids (Yours and theirs
that they were forced to increase.) Over time, chances are that they will
get annoyed enough to let you have a couple of lots just to see what you
will do. Then you can go away happy. (This might take an auction or two to
achieve.)
5/. Be prepared to handle what you have bought. How will you transport it?
Where will you store it? Have you got the workshop facilities to turn it
into what you want?
6/. Most important of all, - have a really good story to tell your wife as
to why you have just arrived home with half a lumber yard in tow. : )

diggerop