| Blog series by Paul | updated 259 days ago | 6 parts | 1673 reads | 32 comments total |
Part 1: Sweating for Wood
I have access to a mountainous burn pile out behind the local John Deere implement dealer. Lots of pine and cedar, of course, but I’ve also found some hardwoods (oak, ash, poplar) mixed in among the dross before. Plan to gather up my safety glasses, cordless saw and extra battery, hammer and pry bars and go see what I can find tomorrow. If successful, I’ll post a picture of my haul.
Part 2: Needle in a Haystack
Click the thumbnails for larger pics . Here’s the pile I explore occasionally- it extends back at least 20 yards. Lots of protruding nails and shakey footing. I try to keep my feet on the ground though and pass on anything I don’t believe I can get to, or uncover, safely. You can see how easy it would be to fall or have something fall on me. My tetnus shot is current!: No great finds to report. Just some pallet oak, two 4×4 oak timbers and a pine board to use ...
Part 3: Where have you discovered gold?
I’ve read of discoveries in the firewood stack in the backyard. I look among pallets and crates behind area businesses. ( I ask for permission before I take any closer look than a drive-by.) If you’re inclined in this direction, where have you discovered wood to reclaim?
Part 4: Last Night's Dumpster Dive
Went for a walk with my wife last night. I have been eyeing this large dumpster behind an old house in our neighborhood for the last few days. I’m not sure whether they’re preparing the house for demolition, remodeling or moving, but the dumpster was full. I took a closer peek in the dumpster last night and went back with the van after we got home. Click the thumbnail pic for a larger view. I guess they tore out a cedar lined closet in the house. I now have enough 3&...
Part 5: Latest Haul
Stopped by the burn pile a couple times this past week and cut away boards until my two batteries ran down (about an hour total). Spent a couple of hours this morning cleaning them up a bit. (Be careful that you get all the nails out & I did this time.) Left to right: Poplar, White Oak and Red Oak . . . The Poplar was somewhat of a mystery in the rough form at the burn pile. But there were some large, fairly clear pieces to be had. So I cut three or four out of the pile. Clea...
Part 6: Something Useful from the latest Salvage
The results of my latest wood salvage. These are 3 sets of 12 drawers – Oak fronts with Poplar drawer sides. Each set is a different size – 24” 18” 12”. Cases will be sized accordingly, of course. Yet I used most the wood from the salvage to build the drawer cases. Here’s a pine version of something similar that I use in my shop for small items – layout tools, etc. I use different knobs on the oak and I’m more particular ab...
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