Barnwood

[woodro4]

I just recently started playing around with old antique barn wood I am building some rustic looking benches with the part that shows being planed what do you recommened for a finish. I am using a $10/hr rate,because the wood im getting is free. too cheap?? They seem to be moving easy.

[MadMark]

Your wood is NOT free. You should be charging for what it would cost you to REPLACE it at the local store.

If they're moving fast, your price is too low.

M

[Glen]

Ditto

So this lumber just magicaly appeared in your shop.

[V Eirschele]

If you run out of barnwood and want some more, make it yourself. Mix water, lye, and corn starch in a glass container. All the
corn starch does is thicken the solution. If you do this in aluminum it won't be aluminum long. Wear gloves and goggles and do it outside in a well ventilated area. This will eat wood so
don't buy anything expensive, just cheap pine. It will depend on
how "rich" a mixture you have as to how long you will leave it
on the wood. I would then use a hose to wash it off and nuetralize the lye. Think about where you do this, remember it is
very caustic. After you can leave it out to weather and turn gray. I originally got this as a paint remover recipe, but it
didn't know when to stop once the paint was gone. I reemphacize
BE CAREFUL, but it works.

[Lou_williams]

Lye is very very caustic. Rinsing with water might not be enough. I have another hobby and that is making Beer. I use lye to clean my stainless steel tanks. (old beer kegs). It is recommended that you neutralize the lye with white vinegar before you rinse with water. The water lye solution will kill your plants and can contaminate water supplies. Once it is neutralized its ok.

Lou

[Dave]

Old Barn wood is great to work with. I have been making a raised panel blanket chest out of this old wood and the finished chest looks great. To finish this red oak I use and oil based oak stain , two maby three coats then two coats of poly U. One note on pricing the fact that the wood is old and has local history, that should be typed on a sheet of paper and placed with the project this should bring a higher price. good woodworking all Dave.

[Pastor Paul]

I found a niche for just the lower ends of the barn boards -- the part that many woodworkers throw out. Problem is that I haven't been able to find any these days.

I take the last 12 inches or so of the board -- it has to have that really rough weathered and worn bottom end -- and make clocks. I use common upholstery tacks to mark the 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11. I use decorative nails with larger heads (I call them fancy tack, but the package called them decorative nails) for the 3, 6, 9, and 12.

I built my first one about 25 years ago when my daughter was little. About 16 years ago, I found a plaque made out of barn board that matches the clock so well you would swear they came from the same barn.

[sweany]

I use linseed oil mixed with turps or paint thinner, then polyurethane.