My Dad asked me to make a table for his office where he could work on some computers. His office is in a building that was built in 1880, so it’s got some really cool beams and exposed brick walls. We had torn a building down that was built at the same time and I kept some of the timbers, so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to use some of them for this project. Here’s the beam (it’s 12’ long, 12” wide, and about 3” thick):
At some point it had been in a fire
The holes are from joinery used to tie this beam to others.
Most of the timbers used in the buildings are long grain douglas fir. I thought that’s what I had grabbed, but after cleaning it up a little bit with a belt sander and hand plane, I realized that it’s actually red oak. Here’s the beam, cut in half and planed:
It’s a beautiful board. More to come soon. Thanks for looking
Cory
-- The secret to getting ahead is getting started.
7 comments so far
jeepturner
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896 posts in 962 days
#1 posted 758 days ago
Nice find, looking forward to the desk or table. I don’t think I would find much oak used in buildings out here on the left coast. How many more of those beams do you have. Your dad may be needing a chair for that desk,,,
-- Mel
Jamie Speirs
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3680 posts in 1026 days
#2 posted 758 days ago
Look forward to watching the progress
jamie
-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
canadianchips
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#3 posted 758 days ago
Nice salvage. Looking forward to seeing the finished table.
-- "My mission in life - make everyone smile !"
Cory
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704 posts in 1589 days
#4 posted 758 days ago
Mel: I’ve got a stack of beams that is probably 7’ tall, 30’ long. More than I’ll ever use building furniture! I’ve never made a chair, but Dad’s already got one:
I’m building the table so he can actually use it!
Here’s a few quick pics of his office:
-- The secret to getting ahead is getting started.
superstretch
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1457 posts in 863 days
#5 posted 758 days ago
So.. what you’ve shown is that ugly is only skin deep
-- Dan, Rochester, NY
Brat700
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#6 posted 757 days ago
look forward the more photos
Rick Dennington
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#7 posted 757 days ago
Cory,
Go for it, my man…..That’ll be one nice table when you get ‘er done…..As always, I look forward to your projects, and I’m sure your dad will be thrilled, too….I’ve seen your work, so I know it’ll be beautiful….Be sure to post some good shots when it’s complete….Good score on the timbers…!!!!!!!
-- " Don't ever wrestle a pig in a mudhole....he'll be having more fun than you..!!
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