How a pile of discarded planks changed my carpentry for the better

I was helping take apart an old shed last week and saw all the good wood headed for the trash. Instead of letting it go, I grabbed some planks to see what I could do. After cleaning and sanding, I found a beautiful grain hidden under the dirt. I made a picnic table for my backyard with the wood, and it came out sturdier than anything new. This made me think about how much stuff we toss that could have a second life. Not only did I save cash, but I also felt better about cutting down on waste. Now I want to find more ways to salvage materials on jobs. Has anyone else tried this? I'm curious to hear how it went for you.

3 comments

3 Comments

mason_reed474d ago

Think about the wood grain you found. Like @beth147 mentioned, old wood is tougher, but did you run into any hidden nails or knots that changed your plans? I ask because last time I used barn wood, a rusted nail wrecked my planer blade, so now I always use a metal detector first.

beth1474d ago

Great idea! Old wood is often denser and less likely to warp than new stuff from the store. Always knock out any old nails and sand it smooth to avoid splinters. You really can't beat the character it adds to a finished piece.

bailey.iris4d ago

That bit about character is so true. My dad used wood from his childhood home to make a bookshelf, and you could still see where he'd carved his initials as a kid. It ended up in my living room now, and every time I see it I remember his stories about growing up there. Makes the piece feel alive, like it has its own history. Way better than anything store-bought, lol.