How to Prep Old Lumber for Use

Old barns are an excellent source of used or salvaged wood.

Though used or salvaged wood makes an attractive addition to a living space, each board must be carefully inspected and sometimes trimmed to remove damaged portions. Larger boards also can be used for framing outdoor sheds or pens, but if you are putting up an addition, it might be a good idea to opt for fresh material. Old lumber is bound to have a certain percentage of unusable boards, so make sure you have an ample supply for your project.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Table saw
• Framing square
• Speed square
• Locking pliers
• Drift pin
• 16-ounce hammer
• Wire brush
• Electric sander
• Coarse- and medium-grade sandpaper

Instructions

1. Check the wood carefully for insect infestations. Do this before you transport the wood to your home.

2. Transport the wood to your home, storage area or work area and then stack the boards on some sawhorses using spacers between each layer of boards. Also be sure that the edges of the boards are not touching.

3. Place an empty pair of sawhorses in your work area and then set the first board on the sawhorses.

4. Clean the board with a wire brush, if necessary.

5. Search the board carefully for nails, old screws or any other type of metal fastening devices. If any part of the metal is protruding, it can be removed with a pair of locking pliers. In case the metal is embedded, it should be driven out with a drift pin and hammer. Just place the tip of the pin on top of the metal and drive the unwanted addition out through the opposite side of the board.

6. Turn the board sideways and look down the side of the board to see if it is bowed or cupped. These problems, if not severe, can be worked with, but major deviations from the norm may limit the use of a piece of old lumber.

7. Search each board for cracks. Cracked boards can sometimes be used in special places or the board can be cut or ripped with a table saw to remove the cracked area.

8. Square off the each end of the board with a speed square and circular saw. You can use the framing square to check for squareness.

9. Sand the edges and surface of the wood to improve the appearance, if necessary.

10. Sort your supply of old lumber for overall quality and usability. To do this you will need to find or create a dry storage area. Be sure to allow spaces between each board so air can circulate and prevent mold from occurring. The bottom boards might need some extra space underneath.

Tips & Warnings

• A metal detector can be used to search supplies of old lumber for nails and screws. It is a good idea to use the detector on any piece of wood that is to be put through a table saw or other power apparatus.

• When purchasing old lumber, carefully inspect as much of the wood supply as possible before making the transaction.

• Free sources of wood should be searched for insect infestations and then checked for overall quality. They may be a hidden reason why it's free.

• To prevent the spread of wood fungi and bacteria, do not transport old lumber for long distances.

References

• This Old House: What to Expect wth Reclaimed Wood
• The Garden Coop: The Importance of Sanding when Building a Chicken Coop
• Wood Recyclers: About Wood Recycling

Resources

• Inhabit.com: Coco Hut -- An Outdoor Shed Made of Scrap Wood
• "Seattle Times": Old Lumber Builds Niche