There is a local store that sells leftover building materials and/or
salvaged materials from renovation projects. It is run by the local
Habitat For Humanity. They always have lots of lumber in selected bins.
The exterior of the wood mostly looks old, weathered, and dusty. The
cost is usually cheap, cheap, cheap. I have planer now, so I think this
would be a great opportunity.
My question: How do I tell the type of wood? I know I could score some
great wood at a great price but I don't know what I would be buying. The
grain patterns are usually so obscured, combined with my limited
knowledge that I haven't a clue.
I sure would hate to miss an opportunity for some great wood because I
could identify it. Are there any websites or books that could help me
with this question?
Thanks,
Brad
"Ramsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> By the book on identifying wood by Tauton Press. You most likely will
> find pine, some cypress, perhaps some chestnut. Doubtful about any
> large quanity of cabinetmaking woods such as cherry, walnut, etc.
>
That all depends upon the location. In older homes here in St. Louis,
I've run into a lot of structural walnut members. Also, the older homes
have mostly old growth wood - tight rings, very stable and hard as hell.
You'll also find grand old homes that are past their prime, in a bad
neighborhood, etc. and the beautiful millwork ends up getting painted.
If you're going to mill it, watch out for 2 things - nails and lead
paint.
By the book on identifying wood by Tauton Press. You most likely will
find pine, some cypress, perhaps some chestnut. Doubtful about any
large quanity of cabinetmaking woods such as cherry, walnut, etc.
On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 10:10:58 -0400, brad heidinger <[email protected]>
wrote:
>There is a local store that sells leftover building materials and/or
>salvaged materials from renovation projects. It is run by the local
>Habitat For Humanity. They always have lots of lumber in selected bins.
>The exterior of the wood mostly looks old, weathered, and dusty. The
>cost is usually cheap, cheap, cheap. I have planer now, so I think this
>would be a great opportunity.
>
>My question: How do I tell the type of wood? I know I could score some
>great wood at a great price but I don't know what I would be buying. The
>grain patterns are usually so obscured, combined with my limited
>knowledge that I haven't a clue.
>
>I sure would hate to miss an opportunity for some great wood because I
>could identify it. Are there any websites or books that could help me
>with this question?
>
>Thanks,
>Brad