I then use the planer turning the board on each pass to bring it down to my working thickness. However, painting newly installed rough cut lumber can present a challenge because of its jagged and splintered surfaces. Please hold my hand and let me know what I need to complete the job please and how to do it. A brush is better at getting into corners, but a roller is better at pushing paint into the rough surface of the wood. Use an oil-based paintbrush if you are applying oil-based stain. Processing rough-cut Oak. I prefer to use the bandsaw for ripping rough lumber, but a circular saw works well, too. It may remain perfectly stable after it’s milled. The scale below shows the target hardwood lumber thicknesses for commercially produced, rough-cut lumber and their planed thickness counterparts. I have some very old roughsawn lumber. The sun’s UV rays can have a harsh and degrading effect on your deck finish, and mold and mildew are also a major problem. I want to put a clear coat on the boards. It’s not unusual to find that some previously flat boards have cupped or twisted a bit. The 3×12 Pressure Tre… Rough sawn lumber is lumber which is cut, but not finished. What's taking my generic drano from working? Rough lumber is almost always cheaper, but it does require some work to prepare it for use. Chris Marshall: The rough, weathered look of old barn lumber is appealing, so I can see why you’d choose it for a piece of furniture. All right….. Plus, you can save yourself a ton of money converting roughhewn lumber to finished product; maybe enough to justify buying that planer you’ve always wanted. Will an automatic boat bilge pump work to pump drain water out of a portable camper shower? As each slice falls off, I inspect it for checks. The last step in how to finish reclaimed wood is sealant. Sometimes, the edges of rough-sawn lumber crack while drying. I’m sure you’ve seen boards like the one above whose grain runs off the edge in a bad way. I don't want to sand the boards because the natural aged surface coloring and the saw marks are what give the boards their character. of width. When the board is whole, all this stress is in balance. It is left literally rough and needs to be dried, planed, and otherwise finished. When the board comes out of the planer, I don’t assume it’s flat. Tips for Buying and Using Rough Lumber. If I’m stumped, I run the whole board through the planer. It’s better to cut a big roughsawn board into individual pieces, one for each part on your cutting list, more or less, and then start milling. But care should be taken to see that the wood doesn’t dry up entirely and is well-shaped, or you could lose money on your project. Does anyone have any tips for finishing rough cut. It is less costly and some people prefer working with it because it gives them greater control over the finished product. I would like to use it for making furniture including some that could be exposed to water such as coffee tables. Since rough sawn lumber isn’t as expensive than its finished counterpart because it has still not gone through any processing stages, you stand to gain by buying this. It is less costly and some people prefer working with it because it gives them greater control over the finished product. Rough lumber can be tricky to crosscut safely. Watch out for snipe and remember to take … 4. Then use the sandpaper to transfer the slurry to the edge of the board. Check out No. What is the finish of your rough sawn lumber? A lot of rough cut lumber is dried outdoors, where it can pick up a lot of dust and debris. You can get 1x trim that isn't "rough cut". American Woodworker May 2006, issue #121. That will cause you a lot of problems in the future. Lumber species used for Pressure Treating such as SPF, Hemlock, Hem-Fir and Douglas Fir, do not possess the same natural resilience as Western Red Cedar, Yellow Cedaror other hardier wood species. What to use it for. Is your Rough sawn lumber “True” to size? You will have to use a buffer (or some similar tool) if you want a smooth finish. Surface or topcoat finishes form a film around the wood and shield it from most everything. Be especially careful to smooth any runs or drips. 1) Rough crosscut your rough lumber. Buying rough lumber from Cook Lumber simply means purchasing lumber in the same surface state as it was sawn. Once you apply your wood finish, use a large bristle brush to put a light layer of wood sealant over the lumber. Apply a liberal amount of the mix to the face of a donor board and use 220-grit sandpaper to create a slurry of old finish. Can I put coconut oil in my bath or will it clog the drain or something? I really love the appearance of these pieces but am having a hard time deciding how to finish … Sure, you can put it on,but that does not mean it's going to work! One of the things I strongly suggest is design and build what you want first; allowing for cuts; etc. Rub the brick over the surface of the lumber vigorously to scuff the wood and loosen the grain fibers. Some twisted boards are hopeless causes. Therefore when you trim the end off of a piece store-bought Pressure Treated Lumber, you are exposing wood fibre that is not suitable for exterior application without chemical treatment, to water, fungus and insects that it would otherwise be protected against by the Pressure Treatment. Typically, homeowners use a transparent finish on rough cut cedar in order to highlight the natural beauty of the wood. You might just as well turn them into firewood. Whenever you want a rustic look in and around your house, you want to make sure the lumber company can furnish you with a rough cut cedar as opposed to a smooth cut cedar. I advise it in every similar situation. Rough Lumber. Use a latex paintbrush if you are applying latex stain. I always cut my individual pieces slightly oversize, adding 1/2 in. If you’re ripping long boards on the bandsaw, use a tall support on the outfeed side to steady the workpiece. In a very realistic sense the absorbtion you describe can only penetrate so far before it either leaches to the other side (Higly unlikely) or reaches the core of the lumber and backs up. )...for a few days, and if need be repeat until the wood stops soaking up the varnish...OK lets say the wood has stopped soaking up the varnish...there is a product made...(something like a varnish)...that is made just for bar tops...it looks like a piece glass on top of the bar after it is cured,,,you actually pour it on the surface...I haven't used it in over 25 years and that was in Texas..but I sure it is still made...just ask the guys at the paint store I'm sure they can help you...hoped this helped in some way.. sounds to me like your no6t lettin the varnish dry real good,try tape around thedges leaving about aninch of tape at the top stickin up,as to hold the varnishm like water,pour varnish out quarter in. Customers that have the capability to surface lumber themselves many times choose to purchase lumber in the rough state to cut down on the price. Cracks in a board’s ends are a common flaw. Find finish at the source. Keeping in mind that the goal is to slow drying and reduce moisture absorbtion through the end grain while the board dries, often in an outdoor setting, paint does a fine job. The difference should be evident. So 6x6 is a true 6 inches. I have some very old roughsawn lumber. Not rough enough to snag terry cloth, but there is noticeable texture remaining. Rough sawn lumber is lumber which is cut, but not finished. Each wall is built on the ground, then erected onto the floor. Be especially careful to smooth any runs or drips. Step 2 Apply an even coat of high-build (filling) acrylic stain-blocking primer to the wood surface with a paint roller. This story originally appeared in American Woodworker Magazine, October 2001, issue #89. 1st you have to get the wood from soaking up all of the varnish,,,try mixing a drying agent with the varnish,it's sold in all paint stores, but don't add to much, and use just enough for one coat...I learned this the hard way not to mix a whole gallon at one time, the next day I had a solid can of varnish,lol....let this (cure. I am in the process of building a dining table out of rough cut pine and am wanting to have the rustic look to it. Source information may have changed since the original publication date. I’ll cut it up into smaller pieces and joint one face of every piece before running it through the planer again. How do you think about the answers? How long? An application of varnish or lacquer or shellac might look nice at first, but there is a better way. Even after several coats it still soaks in rather than covering the surface. By Tim Johnson.