Resawing a Timber Building?

Re: Resawing a Timber Building?

thomd


>The actual business case is going to depend on the specific situation, but large timbers are valuable, and even valuable if not sawn up. A 14 x 14 timber is a very nice size. For instance, every 10 feet would be worth about 650 dollars in boards, and should be worth more to the right person in those widths.

On the other hand, there is still good d-fir to be had out there, so if this stuff is all banged up, never was nice in the first place, etc.. it won't necesarilly be that desireable. I think at the very least it would be worth seeing if there is a local salvage firm that will give you a quote. If the pieces are really nice the ideal market is back into a frame since those are the guys who really want the big sticks.

Re: Resawing a Timber Building?

Michael Stadulis, in Gloucester County, NJ


>David

I've used 1 X 4 DF boards in the past, but I can't imagine using them for much more than paint grade wood due to the woods splintery nature in board form. I think that the highest and best use would be the TFramers because those businesses really need the big stuff as has been said.

I just don't know what there would be in a market for expensive DF boards.

-Mike

Re: Resawing a Timber Building?

Frank D. in Montreal


>Hi Michael,

Around here nice DF boards fetch a premium price for finish carpentry. A lot of the old apartments in Montreal were finished with DF and people who want to match the look or recreate the "old" style charm usually use DF. This said, that market might be specific to my region, I don't know. I have seen DF used for raised panels or other parts in furniture but it certainly isn't a popular wood for that.

FWIW I bought 20-foot DF beams, 11" by 14", for my own house around 6 years ago for about $450 CDN each from a recycler. He dismantels the frames himself (with a team) and takes care of transportation to his own lot. His prices haven't changed much since then (I still buy resawn DF beams for boards, so he sells me a beam and I pay extra for resawing).

Defending Douglas fir

Bill Houghton, retired fun in Sebastopol, CA


>Mike,

It depends on the grade of Doug fir that you buy. The 1x4 boards you've picked up are probably some utility grade wood, very large growth rings, seasoned cheaply, and indeed very splntery. But: high grade Douglas fir, particularly vertical grain*, is awesomely fine wood.

Bill, living out where it's a native tree

*For reasons I've never understood, one does not refer to "quartersawn DF," but to "vertical grain DF." Same thing, different name.

Re: Defending Douglas fir

Frank D. in Montreal


>"But: high grade Douglas fir, particularly vertical grain*, is awesomely fine wood."

Yes! And the color on a lot of old growth stuff that you find in recycled beams and posts is quite red-amber, very nice and not found in many other species that I see. But DF is a wood that dents easily (even if it is much stiffer than white pine). The drawer fronts below are made with old-growth DF cutoffs that I keep (finish is just a few coats of tung oil).

taking an opportunity to.....

bill tindall


>flaunt some dovetails, (snicker)?

We stayed in a former sugar plantation home on the big island in Hawaii and the floors were old growth quartered fir, installed who know how many decades ago. They were the prettiest floors I have ever seen and in still near perfect condition, and NO cracks!

Re: taking an opportunity to.....

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native now in Jax Fl.


>David,

I'd certainly try to contact a Timber Framing Guild to see if they'd be interested in purchasing the beams. It would a tragedy to simply burn those beams. If the building was erected in the 40's or even the 50's, than the tress themselves more than likely started frowing in the middle to late 1800's, and should be in good enough condition provided they where under a good roof to be desireable to somebody as they are, and if worse comes to worse as resawn material.

I remember back in the 80's the recyclers went thru Maine buying up old barns and they where getting BIG money for each beam. the longer the bean the bigger the money. I hated to see that happen, but I hated even more to see the beams go to total waste.

Todd O.

Re: taking an opportunity to..... *LINK*

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native now in Jax Fl.


>David,

I just did a quick Google on "Timber Frame Guild" and got this site. Once you got it up, look at the bottom of the box that says "About the Guild" and click on the "learn more" box. At the bottom of that screen you will find some phone numbers and e-mail addy's for two of the Executive Directors. They may be able to guide you to somebody in your area whom would be interested in these beams. It's at least worth a shot eh? Let us know what happens in the end. And thanks for being Environmentally concerned enough for even asking the question.

T.O.


http://www.tfguild.org/

Thanks

David Miller from Iowa