One of the houses that we are currently working on was built somewhere between 1850-1870. We’re demoing the entire interior and removing the ceiling joists to lower the ceiling height. The ceiling consists of 2 x 6 and 2 x 8s (Actual size) that seem to be straight and solid. I’d hate to see such substantial lumber go to waste. We have approximately 15 of each which are 15 foot long. Anyone have any ideas what this stuff could be used for? I’ve thought about building a new shed in the backyard, but neither is treated for exterior use.
Also, I’m having some trouble figuring out exactly the type of wood. It’s covered pretty solidly in black soot, but when I break a corner of the wood off, it shows a nice orangey color.
Thanks, Wes
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Save that old growth, use them anywhere you want. I bet they will outlast any new growth redwood in an exterior app.. Also plane a piece down, Sometimes the grain is furniture grade. I made a huge table (5'x9') out of some old 4x12's demo'd out of an old warehouse.
Also, I just reused 150 studs in a house built in th '40's that I'm redoing. Al of them far straighter than the bunk I bought from Lowes.
Sand or plane a piece and I bet you find furniture grade lumber under the soot. There is a whole business of recycling old doug fir into flooring and cabinets here in Victoria.
one thing you can do is build a pair of horses with one piece, at least for the tops... everytime you use those , you'll get to admire the wood again
i've got a pair like that from an old mill... perfect dense, vertical grain, firMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Just be careful about embeded nails if you run it through your planer.
That old wood is most likely valuble, if you can't find a use for it you can probably sell it. Stop over by Knots forums, post some pictures and ask around. You'll get plenty of feedback and probably sell some of it. -----------------------------------------------------------
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When we find that around here it is usually spruce. Not a lot of value or good use for it.
I try to save what I can to re-incorporate in the remuddle. When you need the dimensional lumber you have it on hand.
You need to verify the species to make an informed decision.
Eric
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It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
Shave back a couple feet of it (hand planer, belt sander...) and take a picture of it, show us what you got. Wet the wood so we can see the grain.
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I made this out of some old 2x4 and old window glass.
you dabug - kudos on your cabinet!
dooda.. did you do the lead caming too ?... great glassworkMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
The glass came from old windows, just had to clean paint off from the vandals.
I have no problems using old lumber if it's in good shape. Comes in handy in older homes where the deminsions are different from new lumber bought today.
If you are dealing with a BI that has had a bad day or trying to prove he can read, sometimes you'll have problems because technicaly that old lumber is considered 'ungraded' and if used in a structural application needs to be regraded.
Any lumber once installed and then removed loses it's grade clasification.