4 Useful Tips for DIYers When Dressing Reclaimed Timber
Reclaimed timber has become common in home improvement projects such as the installation of outdoor decking and accentuating walls and flooring. Reclaimed wood comes in various shapes and sizes, and it is sourced from different places such as barns, dead wood, and old shipping pallets. The timber might need a little preparation before it becomes ready for use since it might have taken a beating when you found it. Here are some helpful tips for preparing salvaged timber so it becomes smooth and ideal for use in your DIY projects.
Cleaning Surfaces -- Recycled wood is often found outdoor in barns or old wine barrels; therefore, it has taken a beating from the elements including sun rays, snow and rain over the years. Also, all kinds of debris and grit might have accumulated on the surface of the timber. As such, knock any loose dirt off the surface using a bristle brush followed by hosing down the dirt with water. Notably, ensure that you regulate pressure on a water sprayer so that you don't damage the salvaged timber. While cleaning, make a visual inspection for screws and nails to avoid getting injured or put on protective clothing.
Extract Metals -- A visual check can miss nails and screws that are buried deep in the wood. Therefore, use a metal detector to check for such components carefully. Second-hand metal detectors can be bought locally and can save you hundreds of dollars in the cost of ownership. When you locate a nail buried in the wood, try chiseling below the nail's head just to create enough room for pincers to grip it. You don't want to chisel too much wood to ruin the surface.
Use a Planer to Create a Flat Surface -- A planer is an ideal tool when flat surfaces of salvaged wood are desirable. You can use a pair of winding sticks, each placed at either end of the wood, to show if there are any imperfections such as cup twists and bows. Noticeable defects can be removed with the planer until the surfaces are flat. In the machining process, salvaged timber pieces are flattened by removing unwanted material from the wood planks until the desired thickness is achieved.
Smooth Edges -- Even after producing flat and smooth surfaces, the edges of salvaged timber have to be smoothened by passing them through a straight lining machine. Straight lining helps in the seamless joining of wood pieces. Also, ensure that the device has a carbide toothed blade just in case it hits screws that were not detected by the metal detector. Unlike other blades, carbide tipped blade are tough and last longer.