Seeking inspiration/ideas on what to do with old floor joists and bearers
Hi all,
I have a whole lot of old floor bearers and joists that have been removed from the house. These timbers are in great condition for their 80+ years, no rot or termite damage. The bearers may well be spotted gum they are so bloody heavy and hard (possibly ironbark?). The joists are only a little less dense/heavy, but still no blooming light weights.
I am looking at making a dining or coffee table out of the joists (4" X 2") and could make some benches with them too, but it will still leave a whole lot of timber left over. The bearers being 4" X 4" in size present other creative problems.
Other than burning and using them to smoke food, any ideas how I could use these gorgeous timbers? Butcher's block?
Wood turning is not possible for me.
All the timbers are over 2m long, some around 4m long.
4x4 are ideal size hardwood for external post supports. Very expensive hardwood to buy and difficult to obtain in any local durable hardwood.
I have used recycled hardwood to make window and door frames but 4 inches would only be useful in a fine glazed door or window without laminating. You could build a great looking bushfire resistant door with 4x2 spotted gum. Many window and door fabricators use recycled hardwood.
Also external stair treads or tables with spaced 4 inch sections.
We will be needing a new front door that is 1.2m wide. Interesting idea! I'll run it past The Boss.
Backyard obs is difficult. Not impossible. I ran the idea of a rooftop obs on the house and The Boss was not phased, actually was happy with it! Alas the engineering required would be too expensive and the crapfight with the Council not something I would look forward to.
I do need a new workbench. I've always wanted bench dogs too.
Scope and mount? Plywood is better. More dimensionally stable. Nice idea though. I love the look of timber and I've made a few boxes for scopes and gear from very knotty plywood.
What about a small Trebuchet...for outside of course.
It would be an exciting build and a talking point for the garden...maybe display it around the schools and I expect you would probably be the only chap in the area with one.
OR
A huge table for outside.
OR
A sculpture..just random pieces can be effective ..however you have the ability and maybe an idea will come to you.
Sounds like some decent timber, however if planing or turning it would have to be nail free, sure you are onto that anyway, just thought I would put my 2cents worth in.
In this timber mix I have at least four different species of wood. Cutting out scales is easy enough. I won't need to cut scales from all this timber (there would be several hundred if not thousands of sets of scales available from this timber otherwise!).
Knife scales is the name for the blanks used to make handles for knives. A friend of mine give me some red gum scales I used on a knife I made last year. I have a few more knives to make and here is a stock of good Aussie timber scales to boot!
Ok, that's one more use out of the timber
Leon, oh yeah, a LOT of nails have been removed already. Before I make any cuts I am always double checking the area for errant nails that remain.
Patrick, sorry, no pics as the timber is now all under tarps. Just in time too as it started raining not long after the timber was tucked away for a nap.
Alex.
With the current shortage of timber following the fires, you will find there will be a quick followup to any classified advert you run for these pieces. Cash converted to more astro equip!
Yes, it's been easy moving on the timber. I have moved on most of it but I have kept some because it is such good timber and I would like to do something with it rather than just get rid of it all.
A barn raising! Easier to do some hell raising and more fun, but I get your drift Not enough for a barn, shed/obs frame maybe. Couldn't keep any of the cypress floorboards - all of these 80+ year old boards all splintered and shattered while being pulled up. Real shame as I like cypress - great timber for scales too.
No beard, but how about big sideburns? I'm going all Wolverine with my appearance of late
.... Couldn't keep any of the cypress floorboards - all of these 80+ year old boards all splintered and shattered while being pulled up. Real shame as I like cypress - great timber for scales too.
Well there goes the Ark suggestion ... better get these animals back to the Zoo .. two by two.
Well, if nothing better comes up ... Hire* a wood chipper and make mulch for the garden. Just make sure you take the nails and staples out first.
* It might be cheaper to buy, use and sell the chipper second hand if you need it for several days.
Old hardwood???
That could be fun..I have had old hardwood that wont take a nail and when you try to drill a hole the drill breaks...I doubt if it could be done but maybe someone can come forward who has tried it and tell us the chances.
Alex
Alas the engineering required would be too expensive and the crapfight with the Council not something I would look forward to.
Not enough for a barn, shed/obs frame maybe. Couldn't keep any of the cypress floorboards - all of these 80+ year old boards all splintered and shattered while being pulled up. Real shame as I like cypress - great timber for scales too.
