The Assignment
Make a set of base cabinets to match the original douglas fir cabinets. As seen here. The cabinets are fir but refaced with a soon to be removed laminate. We found the doors being used as shelves in the closets. 
Bad Wood/ Good Wood
My carpenter found a source for reclaimed fir beams. They come from demolished turn of the century houses and have a great patina. Unfortunately they also look like they would eat your jointer alive. Fortunately I only paid about $200 bucks for 10 huge beams (6” x 4” x 12 ft on average)
Resaw
So I bought a resawish blade for the bandsaw and went to work. (Pulled a couple dozen nails first).
A few hours later and a couple dozen useable board feet of lumber appeared.Rough thickness averaged a hair over 4/4” Very worth the work and the price. 
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
6 comments so far
oscorner
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4565 posts in 2480 days
#1 posted 2258 days ago
Looks like a job well done. Another pass or two with a metal detector and maybe you can pass them on the jointer for finished boards.
-- Jesus is Lord!
MsDebbieP
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18320 posts in 2330 days
#2 posted 2258 days ago
Such beautiful finds waiting to be discovered and re-used.
You must be “giddy” with excitement.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
rentman
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230 posts in 2264 days
#3 posted 2258 days ago
Look how tite the growth rings are.Good find!
-- Phil, Chattanooga,TN
dennis mitchell
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3994 posts in 2483 days
#4 posted 2258 days ago
I commend you for keeping the house in its original style, a little treasure.
gizmodyne
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1762 posts in 2259 days
#5 posted 2249 days ago
Yes, but it is not easy or cheap to maintain.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1842 days
#6 posted 1743 days ago
Thats some nice fir.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
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