text: barn wood - Woodworking Talk - Woodworkers Forum
  Woodworking Talk - Woodworkers Forum > Woodworking Forum > General Woodworking Discussion > barn wood
  post #1 of 5 Old 03-10-2010, 07:19 AM Thread Starter
  I recently was offered a VERY large barn for free just dismatle and take away. Most of the wood looks like doug fir and in decent shape. There are some massive timbers inside the structure that come with the package. I have done some calculations figuring hiring labor,flat bed semi trailer, all terrain forklift, boom lift and so on. I still think this could be a profitable venture but have no experience selling the stuff. I live in a northwest suburb of chicago and cant seem to find many outlets to purchase barn wood for projects. Looking for some input on what the market is for this kind of stuff. Anyone out there have any experience with this sort of thing? Will I end up sitting on a mountain of barn wood for ever? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
  post #2 of 5 Old 03-10-2010, 11:15 AM
  Most the guys around here that are in the business of re-claiming and selling wood market theirs on craigslist, sell on consignment in local stores, or go directly to local furniture makers/carpenters/etc. All seem to work well based on the people I've bought mine from.
  The Following User Says Thank You to BenBen For This Useful Post:
  jimmykx250 (03-10-2010)
  post #3 of 5 Old 03-10-2010, 11:26 AM
  If you have plenty of time you have nothing to do with, plenty of free or cheap labor, and plenty of spare room, and plenty of band aids, and some extra cash to advertise . . . .
  When the barnwood craze was in full swing you couldn't tear them down fast enough, but I am pretty sure it's all but died down. Don't take my word for it but although you still see adds both for sale and wanted, you just don't see anything like it was in the late 80s through mid to late 90s.
  I helped tear a barn down in my teens before the market for it was established but we were just tearing it down to burn and build another one on it's spot. So we weren't trying to salvage the wood. You don't know what you're getting into if it's a hardwood plank or even old growth pine.
  Then again maybe there are some barns that will come apart easily but from my single experience I wouldn't do it again if I had a choice.
  post #4 of 5 Old 03-10-2010, 12:18 PM
  I would take the timbers if they were in good shape and I had the cash to get them down here.
  Alas, guess I'll have to keep looking around here.
  post #5 of 5 Old 03-10-2010, 01:39 PM
  The wood is still very valuable to guitar builders. my customers live the idea of reclaimed lumber for guitars I build. If you do get some. Try to work guitar blanks in the mix.