Mark Griffiths - Woodworking for the Weekend: 20 Projects Using Reclaimed Timber

WOODWORKING FOR THE WEEKEND offers 20 creative and attractive projects to get you custom-making your furniture in no time. Using reclaimed wood and basic tools, the projects are simple enough to complete in a weekend and make arresting additions to your home. These projects for all skill levels will have you making practical and handsome pieces for every room.

This book features a range of projects that take from just a couple of hours to a whole weekend to make.

The projects are suitable for experienced and novice woodworkers alike, with clear, step-by-step instructions, inspiring photographs and helpful how-to illustrations.

Every project includes a guide to sourcing your own reclaimed timber so that you can adapt the projects to suit whatever materials you are able to find.

Its only when you start salvaging wood to make things, that you become aware of just how much useful material people often simply throw away. Finding inexpensive, or even free, wood that will be great to work with is relatively easy. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

PREPARING YOUR SHOPPING LIST

Ive included wood cutting guides for each project so you can see what I used, but you should adapt the lists to match the reclaimed timber you find rather than trying to match my materials.

THE SEARCH BEGINS

When it comes to reclaiming wood for these projects, it often helps if you start by gradually building up a stock of items. Each time you happen to be near a car-boot sale, second-hand shop, flea market, recycling centre or reclamation yard, stop and rummage around if time permits. These are all great places to find a bargain, either to break apart for the wood, or convert and re-imagine into something else that fits your needs. Even wood crates or pallets used for delivery can be turned into interesting woodworking projects.

It can be intimidating to knock at the door of a woodworking company, such as a joiners or cabinetmaking workshop, but if you approach with a casual, friendly manner, you can strike up a relationship that may be a source for scrap wood, sheets of manufactured wood, and even advice.

If you have the confidence to visit woodworking workshops, the next step is to visit a construction site. This is a place rich in raw materials that would only be consigned to the skip. Again, its the right approach that will yield the best rewards. There will be strict on-site health and safety rules, so dont just wander in. Instead, get the attention of whomever is in charge and talk to that person about what you need for your project.

Internet forums can help you to find sources for inexpensive timber and tools for sale as well as people who can provide helpful advice.

In addition to being good for the environment, reclamation yards selling reclaimed wood offer a wide range of different types of timber in a variety of finishes.

Softwoods are relatively inexpensive and easy to work with, making them a popular choice for furniture, particularly when you are starting out.

Hardwoods are a viable choice for more experienced woodworkers who want to make a strong impression with their projects final finish.

Finally, put the word out to neighbours, family, and friends that you are in the market for odd scraps of wood and old furniture that they may no longer have any use for. You will be amazed at the number of people who have what they see as useless junk cluttering up their homes, which they will often gladly donate to your projects.

As a rule, I always have my breaking kit a screwdriver, claw hammer and handsaw in the back of the pickup, because you never know when you might stumble upon a treasure trove of useful wood. At times, in fact, I think the search for materials is just as much fun as turning them into something useful.

UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF WOOD

Its a good idea to have a little knowledge about the types of wood before setting out on a hunt. Solid wood is categorized as either softwood or hardwood. Generally, softwood is produced by fast-growing coniferous, or cone-bearing, evergreen trees, such as cedar, Douglas fir, pine and redwood. It tends to be less stable than hardwood more prone to movement when passed through the sawmill and during project making. Typically, there is a greater proportion of knots in softwood than hardwood, and the resinous grain structure of softwood makes it less able to take an even wood stain finish. In its favour, it is easy to work and, with the exception of redwood, inexpensive.

In contrast, hardwood is taken from deciduous, slow-growing, broad-leaved trees. Some of the more common ones used for making furniture are oak, ash, beech, poplar and cherry. The long growth pattern of this timber makes it more stable when sawed. Along with a good ability to take stain and wood finishes, hardwoods tight grain structure can produce beautiful wood patterns. The cons of hardwood are that it is expensive, it weighs a lot, and the tight grain can make it difficult to use screws and nails.

Determining the species of timber you have sourced is never an easy task because no two pieces of wood are the same, and even seasoned woodworkers will sometimes be stumped. However, knowing what you have, and how best to use it, can be helpful. Try one of the many online timber information sites for help with identifying the species.

Reclaimed wood will probably be irregular in size, so take your tape measure when you are out to make sure the lumber will be suitable for your project.

Sometimes I find that just browsing in junkyards, flea markets, and similar places will yield unusual pieces that can inspire me to create a new project.

PROFESSIONAL HELP

At times, a project may require a certain timber size that is not to be found in your salvaged stock, and theres no other option but to make a trip to your local timber merchants. Some people can find this a little intimidating, and sometimes the staff arent helpful, shooting technical questions at you about your order. The way to deal with this is to be well prepared, have a list of exactly what you need, take a tape measure to both check sizes and look like a pro, and, finally, dont be afraid to ask for advice. Most wood is machined to standard stock sizes. Softwood is generally sold by nominal size, which is the size before the wood has been planed, so the actual size may be 6 mm/ in. to 20 mm/ in. smaller in thickness and width. Planed hardwood is about 6 mm/ in. thinner than its nominal size. Have a look at the timber yards website to see the stock sizes it holds, and from this draw up a detailed shopping list.

SALVAGE AND REUSE

Working with salvaged wood is much easier than dealing with timber merchants, and, of course, far more economical. Reclaimed wood will be seasoned; that is, its moisture content will be stable because it has been around for some time and a stable moisture content means stable timber.