Cheap Source for Quality Lumber

[db5]

I bought a king-size headboard today (made by Thomasville in 1992) that had storage for blankets and and pillows. Out of style, out of date and made with solid wood and plywood, not press board and paper film. Where? Goodwill. Cost me $18 and I have no idea what I will make from it. When I offered the manager $18 she said, "what are you making this time?" She has caught on. People see something for what it is not what it can be. Those BIG entertainment centers are now showing up and nobody wants them.
You can get these for mice nuts at Salvation Army, Goodwill and other thrift stores or even cheaper (like $5-$10) at garage sales. I've got some big sheets of walnut finished plywood that was salvaged from a credenza. Just take the cabinets apart so you can store the stuff without hearing about it from "you know who."

[joedw00]

Some times I will score at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. They will take just about anything you offer.

[db5]

My wife said "Watcha doin' today?
I said "Nothing"
She said, "You did that yesterday"
I said "I wasn't finished."

Wichita must be as dull and boring as OKC.

[joedw00]

I would say about the same, since we are not that far apart.

[BuckeyeDennis]

Great concept.

I gave away a big old solid oak entertainment center a couple years ago, because it was designed for an old 19" tube, and it went up to a newer 25" tube max after simple modifications. I didn't know how to reclaim the wood, other than with many hours of tedious and messy chemical stripping.

Now I have a SS planer, which would seem to be a quick and easy way to lose the old finish. But I've read that you should not use the planer blades on finished wood.

What's your secret?

[db5]

Great concept

Now I have a SS planer, which would seem to be a quick and easy way to lose the old finish. But I've read that you should not use the planer blades on finished wood.

Who told you that? If it isn't particle board but real wood you can do almost anything; if it is plywood be careful on the laminates (number of levels of ply).

Please don't take my WORD for this. I'm a Psychologist who has done all automotive, electrical, plumbing and other repairs without ever contacting a specialist -I'm not a professional but I learned to fix things myself. Friends said I should have been an engineer but I didn't understand the math.

Suggest you contact JPg on this. My advice is worth just what you paid for it.

[nuhobby]

I've refinished some very old machinist-chests this last year. I typically use a hand-plane to get the old finish off the pieces, but the blade needs frequent re-sharpening.
Of course, if you're just getting bulk lumber and not a key-dimensioned plank for reuse, bandsawing off the top layer is a good way to go.

[dusty]

Chris makes a very important point here. When repurposing significant amounts of finished lumber, take into consideration the wear and tear on planer, jointer and saw blades. Cured finish takes a toll on sharpened blades and it does not take a lot of use to do so.

Watch out for nails, brads, staples and screws.

[frank81]

I would say about the same, since we are not that far apart.

Some of us consider "going to the city" a vacation. Don't take it for granted. I mean, your outdoors/fishing/hunting opportunities are few and overcrowded but at least you see more than the same 5 or 6 people in a given week.

[JPG]

Some of us consider "going to the city" a vacation. Don't take it for granted. I mean, your outdoors/fishing/hunting opportunities are few and overcrowded but at least you see more than the same 5 or 6 people in a given week.

Folks who live 'closely' and 'sparsely' learn 'quickly' how to 'get along' (most of the time:D).


Those of us in the rat jungle are not always so fortunate!;)