Recycle lumber from bleachers?

[duragauge]

This Craigslist ad has piqued my interest.

A local school is auctioning off the lumber from their gymnasium bleachers. A total of 372 16-foot lengths of 1x8 and 1x9 Doug Fir from the 1950's.

As a relative newbie, I don't have a specific project in mind, but am curious to see what you guys think the possibilities are.

-Nolan

[cgallery]

Because they were flat cut the grain is a pretty strong cathedral gain. I love quarter-sawn fir with that tight, vertical grain. This stuff I could do without.

[cabinetman]

Douglas Fir, considered a construction grade lumber has many uses. As advertised it looks like it has a finish. If it's cheap enough, would make for good utility fabrications, such as shop tables, shelving, bench frames, picture frames, etc. It could be used as is, stripped, stained or painted, and used for hobby/furniture projects, or even for those joinery techniques to practice on.
.

[kevincan]

That is a lot of wood. You would have to have a lot of projects for this or people to buy the lumber. It would be a lot of work to get the wood off the bleachers also. You also have to consider the time and expense to strip the finish off the wood before you use it.

So with that being said if you have a use for it and the price is right it would be worthwhile.

Kevin

[poolhound]

I agree with the other posters. If they will only sell the whole bundle thats a heck of a lot of wood. Do you have somewhere to store it?

[duragauge]

I have the space and the time to dismantle it, but I'm not sure I have enough projects or enough $$. I just learned of another lot that was offered a few months ago by a different school in the region and they wanted $15,000, which came out to $2.25 lbf.

[poolhound]

I have the space and the time to dismantle it, but I'm not sure I have enough projects or enough $$. I just learned of another lot that was offered a few months ago by a different school in the region and they wanted $15,000, which came out to $2.25 lbf.

Thats crazy I wonder if they got it? You could buy new HW such as poplar for less than that from my local lumber yard. I have picked up odds and ends of quailty HW such as mahogany, cherry & walnut for that price or less on my local CL from cabinet shops clearing out old stock. If you dont have a specific project then just keep you eyes peeled for a real bargin.

[Salty]

Oh but the varied aromas from such timbers would be interesting.....not!

[Daryl]

I imagine after fifty years the tread boards will have a bit of grit ground into them. THe seat boards will likely have lots of chewing gum stuck on the back side.

[OpaDC]

THe seat boards will likely have lots of chewing gum stuck on the back side.

But just think what the underside of these boards have SEEN in those 50 years. OH if bleachers could talk!

[iceman61]

But just think what the underside of these boards have SEEN in those 50 years. OH if bleachers could talk!

Yeah but the topside probably smells like a$$. Fifty something years worth.

[Pappy]

i was thinking it would make some T&G paneling for a den but it looks like you would only be able to get 7' or so lengths between the bolt holes.

[kevincan]

I have to agree with poolhound - for $2.25 bf you should be able to find some hardwood for that price. Also at that price are you removing it or is that already done?

The other use for this would be for flooring. But I think at that price and with all the mill work you would have to do it would not be worth it.

Kevin