I need a cheap wood for outdoor use

[unknown poster]

I need to build a stand to hold my new portable grill when I want to use it on my deck. The base of the stand will be metal, mostly salvaged from my old grill. The top will be slats of wood, 3/4 thick x 3" wide x 18" long. I think I need about 8 slats.

I think wood will be an ok material under this grill, the legs are made of plastic so it doesn't get very hot under the grill. It's a gas grill so sparks will be minimal.

For $50 I can get the stand designed for use with my grill, I'm looking to do this for way cheaper than that (under $10).

What would be a good, inexpensive, wood to use that will not rot out after a few years outside? I was considering red oak because I happen to have some handy, but I think it will turn black outside.

[LCHIEN]

if you need a rot-resistant wood, then you need
treated pine, cedar, cypress or redwood, in order of cheapest to most expensive.

[Mr__Bill]

I would cut up some ceder fence boards. Very inexpensive, and should last at least a season.

Bill

[unknown poster]

I would cut up some ceder fence boards. Very inexpensive, and should last at least a season.

Bill

That is a great idea, thanks. I can probably do the whole project out of one board, maybe two.

How long will cedar smell like a rabbit cage if left outside? Does this go away after some time?

[LCHIEN]

That is a great idea, thanks. I can probably do the whole project out of one board, maybe two.

How long will cedar smell like a rabbit cage if left outside? Does this go away after some time?

I make a number of outdoor projects with cedar fence boards. Fairly cheap but the dimensions are pretty loose. Glues well with waterproof wood glues. The cedar smell doesn't last long outdoors. You only get a noticable smell when it's in a enclosed box or closet. Rabbit cage smell? is that because you have cedar shavings in the bottom of the cage? it doesn't smell like rabbit droppings, I can't imagine.

[cabinetman]

The cedar fence pickets are usually ⅝". You could use dimensional PT lumber which is ¾". Or, maybe a deck board which could be 5/4.
.

[unknown poster]

Loring - Cedar shavings ate commonly used to line the bottom of rodent cages, that's why I called it a rabbit cage smell.

Cabinetman - Even though I originally said 3/4, I think I can make do with 5/8. I'll check it out first.

Thanks for the advice guys!

[pelligrini]

If you need bigger stock my local lowes carries some 2x4 cedar stock. It is rough sawn like the fence boards so they are 2"x4". Pretty cheap too. I've used fence boards too, but you'll probably not get 5/8" out of them once surfaced.

[LCHIEN]

If you need bigger stock my local lowes carries some 2x4 cedar stock. It is rough sawn like the fence boards so they are 2"x4". Pretty cheap too. I've used fence boards too, but you'll probably not get 5/8" out of them once surfaced.

I just leave them rough for my projects.
when I laminate two together to get 1" material, then I plane the two surfaces I glue together.

[Mr__Bill]

I suppose you could surface both sides and cut them in strips and then glue it up like a cutting board.......



Bill