I thought I’d show ya’ll some of the heart pine I’ve got that I’ve been trying to build a coffee table with. While I really like this old heart pine, it’s a real bear to work with. The rewards are great, but the path getting there is rough. First of all, this stuff is real hard. Supposedly it can be within 5% of the hardness of red oak. I don’t know about that, but it’s pretty dang hard. Another drawback is the inconsistency. It can be really easy to work in some spots and splintery and brittle in others. Also, this has a bunch of old rusty “cut nails” still in it, and consequently since I was too cheap to buy a metal detector, I ended up paying the price by trashing 3 sets of planer blades and will still probably end up getting a metal detector. Funny how that works. 
Here’s what I started with. As you can see, this is some pretty nasty stuff. We tore down the old store in 1969 and it was dirty then. It’s been sitting in a pile in our barn ever since, gather more dust and filth.
Here’s a 1×12 about 16 feet long.
Here are some of the nails I’ve been dealing with in 2×6. (This one was 28 feet long! Kind of hard to move around in the shop.)
The nails were tough to get out. 
I used the 1×12 for the table top. While I’m going for the distressed look, the edges of the board were a little too destressed so I took the splintery edges off and edge glued another more stable piece in it’s place. I ended up putting bread boards of a sort on this thing as it wasn’t going to be very stable if I didn’t.
Here’s what I came up with for the breadboard tongue. Since I’m doweling them with 3/8” dowels, I ran the long part out to 1 1/4” and the shorter part is 3/4”.
I guess this one really shows why the bread board was necessary.
Here’s the dowel slot in the end to allow for seasonal changes in moisture. 
Here’s one of the bread boards before mortising. Notice how tight the grain is on this old growth stuff. This is only 2 1/4” wide.
This is a through mortise and tenon. I actually did this one by hand. After making a few boo boos, I purchased a mortiser. I like doing hand work, but I like saving time too.
Here’s a closeup of one of the nail holes that I left.
I’ll probably get this thing finished in a couple of weeks and will post the results then. Thanks!
-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC
11 comments so far
cajunpen
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5348 posts in 552 days
posted 324 days ago
Excellent blog – everything is thoroughly explained and lots of photos. The wood is beautiful and what a great use of old lumber. I am anxious to see your finished project. I think if I were you, I’d invest in that metal detector sooner, rather than later :-)).
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Todd A. Clippinger
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2536 posts in 585 days
posted 324 days ago
This is a pretty neat project. Looking forward to the final shots.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
MsDebbieP
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11929 posts in 647 days
posted 324 days ago
it’s like a celebration of the tree’s life. A tribute.
Nicely “blogged”
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
miles125
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920 posts in 491 days
posted 324 days ago
I work with this stuff too. A metal detector is a must. Also there are slide bar nail pullers to be found on ebay from time to time that are invaluable to have. And a once over with a wire brush doesnt hurt either at getting all the grit off before machining.
Great looking stuff you got there!
-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""
CedarFreakCarl
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361 posts in 540 days
posted 323 days ago
Yep, metal detector is definitely in the works! This project was a prelude to redoing my kitchen cabinets which I hope will be out of the same stuff. Thanks for the pointers Miles. I need all the help I can get! Hope you guys had a happy Thanksgiving!
-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC
gizmodyne
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1479 posts in 576 days
posted 323 days ago
Great post. I did the same thing with my reclaimed fir. No metal detector. I now have a little line on all of my jointed wood from the nail I surfaced. Still need to replace the knives.
I bought the little wizard detector. It helps alot. I wil detect ones that I can’t see on the surface.
Are you going to save those nails?
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
RobS
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1107 posts in 792 days
posted 323 days ago
Very nice work, pictures and descriptions, keep us posted on the progress. Thanks.
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
Dadoo
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1536 posts in 476 days
posted 323 days ago
I found a nice pile of old maple flooring that I’m doing the same thing to. Bought a Little Wizard…It works great! Even detected a paper staple that had lodged into a crack.
That’s some real old growth stuff you got there. It’s gonna make for an interesting table and cabinets. Keep posting!
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
Dick, & Barb Cain
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5076 posts in 785 days
posted 323 days ago
It looks like you’ve got a great looking project going there.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
CedarFreakCarl
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361 posts in 540 days
posted 322 days ago
Gizmo, I hadn’t planned on saving any of the nails, the memories are too painful…lol. Gizme and Dadoo, about how deep did the Little Wizard work for you? I know Norm used one on one of his shows and said it worked great. I thought about getting the larger model as I’ve got some 10” x 12” beams I’m planning on resawing and my thinking is that it will provide a larger coverage area. I’ll have to see what Santa comes up with…..
-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC
Dadoo
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1536 posts in 476 days
posted 322 days ago
If you’re planning on doin’ a lot of resawing then go for the Lumber Wizard III. I’ve read that it can detect thru a 10-12” thick beam. Go to www.littlewizard.com for more info. I see it costs around $100.00.
I’m using the “Little Wizard II” (costs $20.00) and have had it detect my wedding band thru a 2×6 pine. Like I said earlier, it found a small paper staple that had lodged into a crack. My planer blades have been grateful, so far!
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!