OLD WOOD!
- Thread starter Madman1978
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Madman1978
Member
I was given a much large piece, the photos are a piece that was a cut-off for the large piece. That piece is 30"x15"x 2 1/2. I believe it was a floor joist in the building it was salvaged from.
Kenny Durrant
Member
It's not the age of the wood but the shape it's in. That looks pretty solid to me. You mentioned the size. The only thing that might dictate to use it for pens is the tightness of the grain. The wood is pretty but if it's not a tight grain it might get turned off by the time your pen is to size. You could always cut it cross grain and that would make the end grains pop when the light hits it. Sounds like you have plenty to play with. Good Luck.
Madman1978
Member
But do I have the blades that will last? lol This is some dense stuff
sorcerertd
Member
It's amazing how much harder and tight grained the wood is in historic age buildings. I can't imagine it would be any harder than many of the exotics that you have probably worked with at some point.
keithbyrd
Member
Turn it - you won't have any problems. Just use sharp tools. I have done many pine pens - old and new - for customers - I recommend diagonal cut to get more grain activity in the pen.
SabertoothBunny
Member
I am always amazed at how much old growth pine weighs, just smells great too
MRDucks2
Member
Always seems like the old pine more solid resin/sap retention than the new stuff. It will turn fine and I have sanded pieces to an almost silky smoothness. Just be careful to not use or not be aggressive with coarse grits of sandpaper. It can introduce deep scratches that will be hard to remove. Also use a more gentle pressure when sanding or can remove more from the softer white wood areas than the darker rings.
leehljp
Member Liaison
IF it has resin in it, bake it for about 2 hours at 160°. That will cure the resin in the wood. But I doubt it has resin in it or you would have seen signs of it already.
IF you do cross cut grain, it might be good to stabilize the grain. Even if it is old pine, humidity changes can create minuscule movement, which is more prevalent in cross grain cuts.
IF you do cross cut grain, it might be good to stabilize the grain. Even if it is old pine, humidity changes can create minuscule movement, which is more prevalent in cross grain cuts.
Madman1978
Member
Smells like Pin Sol When I cut it lol
Madman1978
Member
Some great Ideas Thank you, everyone
GaryMGg
Member
Crosscut is probably the prettiest way to use it.
mark james
IAP Collection, Curator
The lowly Pine in full splendor! Very attractive.I've had lots of old growth heart pine like this.
Crosscut is probably the prettiest way to use it.
PatrickR
Member
For comparison here are some I made using straight grain.
GaryMGg
Member
Beautiful
low_48
Member
I picked up a 120 year old pine window sill. When I tried to sand it, the sandpaper lasted less than a minute. I finally changed paper and wet sanded with mineral spirits.
sbwertz
Member
It's not the hardness that eats blades, it is the silica in the wood. Pine shouldn't have much silica at all.