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Hi Bunnings Workshop community
I bought a cubby house to assemble recently.
I opened the boxes and was surprised to see significant cracks in some of the main timber parts, and filler used to patch long gaps sections (made by factory cuts maybe).
Just want to get some opinions on whether this wood is of sufficient quality / safe, and if it might survive the varying weather in Melbourne. Wondering whether to push for a refund/replacement or just assemble it.
Thanks
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @bornToDIY. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about timber.
Those are what I'd consider structural cracks that run the length of timber and not hairline cracks that can be ignored. If this were one of our cubby houses, especially a two-storey one, I'd refund it for the customer as it raises safety concerns. I'd suggest reaching out to the manufacturer.
Let me mention a couple of our knowledgeable members @TedBear and @Jewelleryrescue to get their opinions.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Hi @bornToDIY
I'm with the learned gentlemen above, unless - if it's only the five pieces you've shown us - can we simply replace them with better quality wood?
Maybe send your photos to the company - and get five replacement pieces?
Or is there much more?
They seem to be numbered "20."
Where are they situated on the house?
Total weight of the packaged kit is only 91kg?
Thanks very much @Jewelleryrescue @Noyade @TedBear @MitchellMc
Yes, the total weight is 91kg.
There are 6 pieces of timber with cracks/filler and they are all load bearing posts.
Yes, would really appreciate a quote to replace these 6 pieces, so here are the details:
4 of them (90cm x 6 x 6) support the second story of the house from base, and 2 others (126cm x 6 x 6 with triangle cut on one end) support the front verandah roof. (Here is the assembly manual - the affected parts are "20" and "29").
The affected parts all look like they've been channel-cut in the middle of one surface and then patched/filled - I'm not sure if they cut it deliberately for some reason - thoughts?
Thanks!
Hi @bornToDIY
First to answer your question re the timber is poor quality pieces and have being naturally spliting and they probably chiseled out the bad splits and filled them possible old saw dust and some poor glue to try and make them look whole good pieces usually these are painted over to hide there cover up. But lucky for your childrens well being you questioned the wood quality.
In Australia there is much timber made from cut and joined timber off cuts and pre painted and the quaility is still A1 .
Ok costing the short of it the treated timber replacemrnt timber is in the close ball park of $220. So put in a claim for $300 as you will need a high quality insect resisting weather proof under coat especially where timbers touch the ground. I would highly consider placing ready made cement pads/ squares under the points any timber touches the ground .
Your claim to date to the suppliers is $300 refund or they take a full refund. And tell them the poor quaility is risking Aussie kids and the Gov could ban there sales in OZ. Ok a little devious but no more than they deserves.
My proposed (below) Timber size is a slightly larger dimention 88mm square vs 60mm square of your original timber. this wont be a problem or alter design just fatter stronger legs,
Now if you will note: the ONIGINAL veranda post is two pieces (easier shipping) BUT We can cut one whole full length post instead ie (90cm(Base stump) + 126cm (Triangle end) = one post 216cm combining those two lenghts. will save cutting work and make design stronger.
Now i propose purchasing two lengths of treated pine 3.6m long out of which we can get the replacemrnt 6 timbers in need of replacing but the verandah post dosnt need 2 pieces so now we only need 4 replacement timbers. See drawing.
In the drawing shows one length of timber 3,6 m (you will need 2x3,6 meter posts to cut 2 sets of timbers,) the drawing it shows the two cuts you need to makeone set then do a duplicate set of cuts on 2nd post.
Easiest way is to get your replacement timber post lay it on ground or saw horse. Place the 90cm part and the 126 triangle part on the raw material end to end and trace draw the angled off cut onto the post and cut it at same angle, this will give you a whole and complete front veranda post with no joins this is a stronger design. Next lay the 90cm part on the end of the first raw material and draw a line and cut it the same size. Repeat for 2nd veranda and other base post. And a minimal waste off cut.
Now also in the diagram shows where to connect the joining original timber braces on the inside corner edges. Please dont use outside corner edges as this will throw of all your other precut peices fitting properly
I would under coat and paint all timbers before you assemble them so you get the maximum life out of you new cubby. This is a pain but totally worth doing.
Bunnings timber options @MitchellMc and others maybe able to provide alternatives and add design input to make this even better.
Bunnings H4 timber 2x In8423176 Treated timber 3.6Meter 88x88mm square $105
OR
Bunnings H3 preprimed IN0052827 Treated timber 3.6 Meters 88x88 square $108.45
Good luck hope this helps.
Hi @bornToDIY,
I am unaware of any equivalent products apart from the alternative 88 x88 LSOP posts that @Jewelleryrescue mentioned above.
Mitchell
Morning @bornToDIY
Apologies for my eyesight - I will see my optometrist later this year.
I thought with your first photos they were small battens with fissures down the centre - and maybe they were just trimming for the windows.
But your most recent post/photo puts a better perspective on the problem. These are load bearing timbers 90mm X 90mm that were defective and the manufacturer has attempted to deceive the customer by trenching the affected area, filling and painting. There is so much filler - that as it dried it contracted creating a fissure (which I thought was the wood). By playing with the monitor screen and getting 90mm to fit the ruler - the trenching appears to be around 10mm wide and up to 15mm deep. I don't know if you have contacted the company (I note the link to the supplier has now been removed from your introductory post) but if you had no success with them - I would be going to Fair Trading and pushing for a full refund.
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/
