Guide to FREE WOOD

So you want to build your own ninja warrior course you say?
Don't have much money to start? or maybe would love to cut costs building your next obstacle? Well that's what I'm here to help with.


INTRO VIDEO to COME SOON....
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 Please make sure to check all the wood you receive. Ensuring that it is in good enough condition to support whatever you plan on building. Remember safety first!

1. Constructions Sites - Part 1

Now no matter what there should be some type of construction in or near your town/city and the framing contractors tend to have the largest use/waste of wood. Simply walk to one of the workers or nearest employee on site. Ask if you could speak to their framing super-intendant or site manager. Once you get a hold of him(or her) introduce yourself and ask if it would be alright if you could pick up their scrap wood for them.

50 to 75% of the time they will say yes. This at times can be accompanied by some type of a condition: As in a good time to coming to pick up the wood to picking only from certain piles. FYI I don't suggest coming while the site is closed.

Before you leave him ask for his business card and ask if you can contact him to see if you could pick up more scrap wood at a later time. An if you create a good relation with that person you might be able to go to any of his future sites to pick up more wood.

2. Construction Sites - Part 2: Invest a little, get a big return.

Not many people will be able to take advantage of this one unless you have a large truck or trailer. Younger ninjas will probably have a harder time with this as well. Go to your chosen construction site and ask for the Director of building (head super-indendant) You will try to strike a deal with him/her and ask if they mind doing a trade. They will ask you what you are talking about.

Suggest the idea that you will pick up and hall away ALL of their scrap wood from the site at no cost every weekend (or the most convenient time for his business) and in return ask for any un-used lumber and plywood after their done with the build. That is fresh or slightly weathered lumber that has never been used.
Now you may have to wait a few months till they finish but its worth it. (I had a friend who had done this and was able to build an entire skateboard bowl from the wood he received) Now the chances of this working is on the lower end. It mainly depends on how big the build is and what the contractors practice is.

Their is a chance they will cause they spend thousands of dollars to dispose of old wood and keep it in storage. Other times they may simply transfer the wood over to a new job. So again their is alot of different factors that can affect this method but it has the biggest payout.

3. Politics

Every town has politics and elections and with elections come advertising. Advertising means giant wooden signage along the streets with Prop or a persons face on it. Well the good news for you comes when the election is over. When the election pertaining to those signs end, the owners have 24-48 hours to remove them(this is for CA, I am unsure about any other states.) If they don't, it becomes everyone's game. So drop by with your screw gun and/or hammer; break the sign down and you have some nice 2x4s and maybe a full sheet of plywood if they didn't use a plastic sign. ((Please note; the sign must be on public land/property. If it is on private property do not touch it.))

4. Lumber Sites

What your going to start doing here is some research. Look for lumbar yards in your town that are located near the railroads. If you find one call it and ask them if they have any "WOOD DUNNAGE" that you can pick up from them. Now dunnage is a trade name for strips of wood that they use to separate stacks of lumber that are carried inside transports (like trains) they may also be called spacers. Usually every month the lumber yard would have a person/company that comes and picks them up. Most of the time dunnage is pieces or full 2x4's and 4x4's they might be a little warped but still useful to you. Also do not want to get confused with other types of dunnage out there

5. Pallet Pickups

Pallets are a great way to create ground based platforms or to stack to create starting pads. Most super stores (Walmart, Rite-Aide, Vons, Savemart, Ralphs) have pallets in the back lot/loading dock area of thrit business. They usually toss them out or stack them up in piles outside.
Do remember that some pallets actually belong to companies and say "PROPERTY OF SO n SO" you want to leave those pallets alone. Ones without markings ad is blank is usually ok to take and is just a scrap pallet to the company. Best time to pick them up is at night or during low traffic times so you don't get in anyone's way while loading. ((Don't pick up any pallets if they are inside the structure)) If you feel unsure about this  tip/tactic feel free to talk to the manager and ask first.

6. Neighbors Pt.1

Hit up your neighbors and see if they have any junk they might want to get rid of. They may have old wood that's been lying around in their garage or things that you can use as obstacles. Offer to help them out or ask if they can help you. Its a great way of neighbors helping neighbors.

7. Neighbors Pt.2 - The Picker

If you have some neighbors (or even complete strangers, if you so wish) that are remodeling their house, or making additions. Look for those with a dumpster in front of them. Most likely they will have some scrap wood in there. Go up and ask if you can rummage through the dumpster for some wood. If they say yes now you have more wood on your hands.


How to Get Wood for Cheap

1. Craigslist.com

Craigslist is similar to eBay, but everything is local. Try running a search for "2x4s", "plywood" or "lumber" and hopefully something shows up! Usually you will find people on here trying to get rid of their wood for low prices or giving it away.

Back in 2007 when I was building my Mini Mega Ramp I got in contact with a pastor(through craigslist) who was selling units(280 quantity) of 2x4-12' for only $150!! That is incredibly cheap! So I call the man, make arrangements and pick it up. Only costing me $150 for $540 worth of lumber.

2. Hope Depot Scrap Pile

I didn't find out about this till recently. Maybe some of you already knew this but Home Depot has a scrap pile. Where the wood that they receive is broken or slightly warped is cut down to about half of the size. Tossing the distorted or damaged piece away and reselling the good or excellent piece for anywhere from $0.54, $1.09, $2.13, to $3.04. You will find they types of wood range from quarter sheets of all plywood to 2x4s, 2x6s, 4x4s and trim pieces. Perfect for those smaller pieces you need!