TREATED TIMBER

[Alexam]

My son has aquired some lengths of rough cut, heavy beams of treated timber, probably floor joists. Is this wood any good for general woodworking, or does the timber treatment spoil it for that?

Alex

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Are you sure they are treated? I've never seen a treated floor joist. If they have had some treatment it's likely to be superficial, I'd have thought.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

The tanalising chemicals are pretty disgusting to be honest apart from the toxicity aspect they leave varying degrees of colouration. Its OK for rough outdoor stuff like bird tables, planters, benches etc but (even though Brussels have toned down the toxicity) it shouldn't be used in conjunction with food safety so no tables, BBQ shelves etc Also anything structural in damp at risk spaces indoors like roof spaces or regular stud walls etc.

Just nothing related to fine furniture or food safety would be my take.

 

[Alexam]

Thank's guys. It is treated as the discolouration on the end grain shows clearly that it has been treated with something - preservative wise. Presumably it could be used for some boxes where the finished item is stained or oiled?

Alex

 

[marcros]

Thank's guys. It is treated as the discolouration on the end grain shows clearly that it has been treated with something - preservative wise. Presumably it could be used for some boxes where the finished item is stained or oiled?

Alex

I wouldn't use it for those applications. For the cost of wood, in terms of a project that you will invest hours of labour into, i wouldnt bother with trying to use treated construction timber. I assume that it is likely to be softwood too, and is not nice stuff to handle...

I would use it for outdoor uses, or workshop shelving etc.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

+1

I include box making in my general sweep of don't use it for fine furniture. To be honest, boxes (jewellery etc) are some of the very most fine wooden items around and require top quality hardwoods in the main for the stunning finishes they give.

Did anyone see that personal family crested tea box on Antiques Roadshow yesterday? Its value was estimated at between 20 and £30,000. The furniture expert described it as the best piece he'd ever seen in his life. On a par with Chippendale. The family was the Cornwallis family, the General was the guy who had to concede colonial USA from British ownership. (Remember the Mel Gibson movie - well the Cornwallis played in that was this families great great great etc etc Grandad).

The marqetry was amazing.

Anyway, you wouldn't be using your tantalised anything to create boxes....though I may have strayed from the point somewhat

 

[RobinBHM]

If its a structural timber like 4" × 2" it is probably only spruce, identifiable by its pale knots. If green then thats the CCA treatment chromated copper arsenic.

I wouldnt try French polishing it!

Robin

 

[blackrodd]

And for my two bob's worth,
The usual treated timber for fencing etc is home grown, and as such tends to have big knots, has a pinkish hue, and is rubbish underground unless treated with the dreaded Arsenic,
It is purely down to the chemicals that we have the 8, or 10 years use as fencing etc.
I wonder what this does to you're primroses and veg.
It tends to have a fairly controversial grain, so would be difficult to finish as a usual softwood.
There are other grades of treated timber available, you may be fortunate, if this is the case.
If you get a copy of the product leaflet, that should be provided with each sale, you probably would never buy any!
It's not for use indoors, or with people or animals in any circumstances.
There are several members here, well up on Timber Technology, who can elaborate. Regards Rodders