Filling woodworm?

[theallan]

Hi all,

Moved into a house over the summer, where the folks before left behind these massive timber beams they said they found while doing some renovation. I think they are elm, but not 100% certain.

I thought I'd clean one of them up and have it as a bit of a feature in one of the rooms (lighting behind it), so I've been brushing it down with brass wire and its coming up really nicely. However, some parts of the beams are completely ridden with woodworm. They don't appear to be active any more, although I'll still treat it, but I was wondering if anyone has any advice for how they would finish this - specifically relating to the woodworm holes?

I was going to use danish oil to coat the beam once fully cleaned and woodworm treated, but the worm holes might be quite pronounced. Should I hack off some of the dryer rotten bits?

Thanks!
Allan

 

[MikeG.]

I'd be amazed if that went in to any depth. I'd be slicing that up into planks (assuming it's bone dry) and making some lovely furniture from it, for sure. So, yes, I'd be chucking out the frass/ damaged timber.

 

[theallan]

That's the plan for the second one, which you can just see on the right of the pictures slightly out of frame .