DIY Scrap Wood Projects: Finding Salvaged Lumber and Old Wood
Tips and Sources for Finding Old Wood
Scrap Wood Projects: As the cost of lumber continues rise, many weekend woodworkers and hobbyists are looking to salvage and reuse old wood as an alternative source of raw material for many different DIY scrap wood projects.
Once you start looking, finding old wood to salvage and re-purpose is relatively easy but it can take some time and effort to convert an old board into useable lumber. The salvaged wood must be cleaned, metal screws and nails removed, and any split or damaged sections cut away. Though salvaged wood is not suitable for every project, using reclaimed lumber is a great way to stretch your woodworking budget, keeps good wood out of the landfill, and the character of aged wood makes for interesting DIY scrap wood projects.
Original Photos and Images by the Author
Keep on the lookout for home remodeling projects and new construction sites as potential places to look for salvage old lumber for DIY Scrap Wood Projects. The demolition work needed to make way for additions and renovations can generate a lot of wood waste, and some of that waste can be salvaged and reclaimed as usable lumber. If asked politely, many residential contractors will allow you to search through their dumpster or scrap pile for reusable treasures.
After getting permission, look for discarded exterior trim boards made of cedar or pine that can be rescued and reused to make outdoor scrap wood projects such as window boxes and birdhouses. Debris from an older home might yield a few wide old floorboards of pine or interior trim cut from hardwoods. New construction sites, especially in high end neighborhoods, can offer usable scrap pieces of desirable woods such as oak, cherry, and the occasional exotic wood.
Remember, always ask permission before searching through any job site.
Take apart old furniture and bookcases, and save those old closet shelves. An old toy box that was tossed aside and destined for the curb gave up wide panels of hard maple, and a pine bookcase provided enough wood to make an outdoor planter plus enough smaller pieces to build several birdhouses. An old wood door, removed for a remodel or taken off hinges and left in barns and basements can yield some nice clear pieces of reusable lumber for DIY Scrap Wood Projects.
Before carrying off a big piece of old furniture to recycle into the next scrap wood project, check to make sure it is made of wood that is worth the time and effort to salvage. Hardwood and softwood planks and plywood panels are reusable, but don't waste time with furniture made from thin or damaged particleboard veneers.
The seats from an old wooden boat produced another source for scrap wood projects. The patina on the sun-bleached mahogany seats worked well for a small deck table with some leftover pieces that went into a couple of more birdhouses. Boat b
Scrap Wood Projects: As the cost of lumber continues rise, many weekend woodworkers and hobbyists are looking to salvage and reuse old wood as an alternative source of raw material for many different DIY scrap wood projects.
Once you start looking, finding old wood to salvage and re-purpose is relatively easy but it can take some time and effort to convert an old board into useable lumber. The salvaged wood must be cleaned, metal screws and nails removed, and any split or damaged sections cut away. Though salvaged wood is not suitable for every project, using reclaimed lumber is a great way to stretch your woodworking budget, keeps good wood out of the landfill, and the character of aged wood makes for interesting DIY scrap wood projects.
Original Photos and Images by the Author
Keep on the lookout for home remodeling projects and new construction sites as potential places to look for salvage old lumber for DIY Scrap Wood Projects. The demolition work needed to make way for additions and renovations can generate a lot of wood waste, and some of that waste can be salvaged and reclaimed as usable lumber. If asked politely, many residential contractors will allow you to search through their dumpster or scrap pile for reusable treasures.
After getting permission, look for discarded exterior trim boards made of cedar or pine that can be rescued and reused to make outdoor scrap wood projects such as window boxes and birdhouses. Debris from an older home might yield a few wide old floorboards of pine or interior trim cut from hardwoods. New construction sites, especially in high end neighborhoods, can offer usable scrap pieces of desirable woods such as oak, cherry, and the occasional exotic wood.
Remember, always ask permission before searching through any job site.
Take apart old furniture and bookcases, and save those old closet shelves. An old toy box that was tossed aside and destined for the curb gave up wide panels of hard maple, and a pine bookcase provided enough wood to make an outdoor planter plus enough smaller pieces to build several birdhouses. An old wood door, removed for a remodel or taken off hinges and left in barns and basements can yield some nice clear pieces of reusable lumber for DIY Scrap Wood Projects.
Before carrying off a big piece of old furniture to recycle into the next scrap wood project, check to make sure it is made of wood that is worth the time and effort to salvage. Hardwood and softwood planks and plywood panels are reusable, but don't waste time with furniture made from thin or damaged particleboard veneers.
The seats from an old wooden boat produced another source for scrap wood projects. The patina on the sun-bleached mahogany seats worked well for a small deck table with some leftover pieces that went into a couple of more birdhouses. Boat b
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