Edsmith000


member


Recent comments


Re: Inexpensive furniture woods

I love Curb Wood. What? You've never heard of Curb Wood? Look out on the curb on garbage day. One of the best sources of good plywood are discarded kitchen cabinet doors that have been tossed aside during a remodeling. Much of this is much higher quality than the plywood made today. With a little paint remover and sanding, it will be like new. It is an especially good source of wood for retirees, who have more time than money.

I was able to make a beautiful white pine bookcase for my shop books with curb wood, and I did not even lose the pumpkin color of what had been rough, old basement shelves.

Other good sources for outdoor projects are discarded redwood siding and cedar fences. Cedar 2x4s make into excellent legs and rails for tables and the 1x3 or 1x4 slats make excellent table tops. These have resulted in a redwood mailbox on the front of our home, a large cedar flower planter box, a cedar table to winter-over flowers in the basement, and a redwood table for my small gas grill.

Be sure to have an understanding spouse ("Wait, honey while I turn around and pick up those boards...") and permission from the residence where you are salvaging lumber.

Ed Smith
Green Bay WI

posted: 6:54 am on February 4th