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12th July 2013, 04:19 PM #1Member
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Floor joists and bearers used in the 60s?
Hi all,
A while ago I helped demolish an old weatherboard house built in the 60s (guesstimate), I was allowed to take as much framing as I could so I loaded up the roofracks thrice over with all the bearers and floor joists.
They have been sitting under cover for at least a year and now I want to do something with them. Problem is I don't quite know what the timber is.
All I know is it's hardwood.
Does anyone know what the floor joists and bearers were made from during that era? It was an old weatherboard home with colonial double hung windows and timber floorboards throughout, in Melbourne.
If need be I can take a photo of the joists, they are quite dark but I guess when I run it through the thicknesser it'll lighten up abit.
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12th July 2013, 04:47 PM #2GOLD MEMBER
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Could be any of the hardwoods. Pictures of colour, long grain and end grain may help.
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12th July 2013, 07:13 PM #3Member
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13th July 2013, 08:42 AM #4GOLD MEMBER
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Pretty much. Most hardwoods were sold as scantling and there was no difference in price between species.
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13th July 2013, 07:19 PM #5Jim
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13th July 2013, 07:53 PM #6
you sound like me 20 yrs ago. I still have some red pine I pulled out of a demo job in Adelaide. It came with me to Perth / Melbourne / Horsham & now southern NSW
What are you hoping to do with it?
Looking forward to pics
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15th July 2013, 01:12 PM #7
the type of hardwood will probably be determined by the location of the build. Could be (so called)Vic ash or Tas oak if in Victoria. NSW it might be spotted gum. blackbutt or jarrah? in WA.
Vic ash and Tas Oak comprises any or all of- alpine ash, mountain ash, mountain gum, Grey gum, blue gum, and messmate. narrow leaf peppermint is also included I think.
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16th July 2013, 01:49 AM #8Member
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oops I forgot to take the pics. so many projects so little time.
I was actually thinking of using them to make a proper woodwork bench. 20mm formply fixed onto trestle type frames doesn't do me any justice. Especially when I need to hold my work in place, and quick release F clamps can only do so much
So I've decided to build myself decent woodworking bench with the 2 vices/vise/vie?, dog holes and cupboard/drawers underneath and so I hope these old joists will make part (or most) of it.
I've read American maple is really good for a top but my funds are low and I'm not sure how available it is.
But first things first, I gotta to run these through the thicknesser and get pictures!
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16th July 2013, 10:26 AM #9
That will be good to get pics. The timber should do you fine.
By the time you're up next year I hope to have a good workshop. Not sure if I will be there or not. Will have the tools not sure about the space to use them
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16th July 2013, 07:14 PM #10Member
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Finally took some photos
Finally took the photos
Ok so I had time to run 1 length through the thicknesser to have a proper look.
I'm now starting to think it's Tassie Oak, I have a smaller piece next to it that is T Oak to give a comparison. They look similar hey.
Unfortunately timber i.d has never been my strong point.
If it is Tassie Oak, would this be suitable for a woodworking bench top? I'll probably use it for the frame but am still hoping it will be strong enough for the top.
Oh Dave I don't know what you mean, you hope to have a good workshop but you're not sure if you will be there? btw have I been reading you bought some new machines?....
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16th July 2013, 07:20 PM #11
I made some legs for a small table out of old hardwood framing. Biggest problem was ensuring there were no broken off nails and screws that would damage the thicknesser. Rough sand the timber a little and sponge it down to see if there are any embedded nails.
The cracks and crevices in the old timber make lovely character when its oiled or waxed so dont go overboard on the finishing.
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16th July 2013, 08:07 PM #12Member
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Oh absolutely, I quite like that rustic look in the timber so I'm glad I won't need to clean them up that well. And yep, find the odd embedded nail is a nightmare for the machine. Luckily my friend gave me a stud detector (payment for running thru his old timber in the past) so it will help to find any stragglers left behind
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16th July 2013, 08:17 PM #13
what can I say, I'm a woodworker no a secretary lol
I'll try a do over - yes I bought some new tools, did you see them?
2 table saws
thincknesser
buzzer / jointer
drill press
mortice machines, 1 chain and 1 chisel
some really old saw sharpener????
8' belt sander
radial arm saw
dowelling machine
grinder
all of the above are 3 phase
I think that is everything, I have another TS and a 26" bandsaw dating to 1915 and about a dozen lathes. Then there is hand, power, battery and air tools
I will be here, the tools should be here in the region somewhere. Not sure if I will have a workshop to put them in by the time you're up here.
think I wrote bettera this time, I'll just read it all again and make sure
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16th July 2013, 08:21 PM #14
[edit] Priscilla - check this out http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f2/ne...started-39629/
I wanna hear what you think of that link - he might be coming to visit me in 2015
oh and your timber looks like tassy oak. whatever it is there is no doubt about its strength, it will be plenty strong enough depending on the construction method you use.
I'll come back with an edit to a link for another guy I know who made a pretty average work bench ...... might give you some inspiration
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16th July 2013, 09:30 PM #15
here is the 2 mortice machines and the closest tool is what I think is a saw sharpening grinder. The belt is not fitted to it
image-1965850493.jpg