Ripping down and planing old elm joists... How?

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theflyingpig

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I've taken about 30 old elm joists out of the property I'm renovating and want to cut and plane them down to use as internal window sills, and hopefully a new dining table top.

They are approx 3000 long, and are approx 10 x 2s...

They're going to take ALOT of de-nailing in the first instance, and there is fairly extensive wood worm damage... But, there's some beautiful solid timber in there!

Anyone in the Devon area got a sawmill I could borrow? :)
 
Recycled timber is an absolute nightmare to deal with as there are always embedded bits of metal to deal with (rusted ends of nails, etc which have broken off inside). Good luck finding anyone foolhardy enough to take the task on without first getting a large cash indemnity from you to cover the inevitable wrecked saw blades, planer knives and spindle cutters (BTW for the window boards, cills are on the outside) they will go through

TBH you would be better off doing your own sawing and buying a decent size planer/thicknesser to do the job yourself (with half a dozen spare cutters)

A word of caution about elm - as a timber it constantly moves with changes in the atmospheric moisture content, meaning that structures such as doors, staircases, etc made from it will always creak (which is why it was traditionally never used for fine work), although it is strong, withstands being soaked well and resists abrasion That is why, despite at one time being a plentiful species on the British countryside, it was often confined to being used for canal boat bottoms, decks on carts and barrows and coffins.
 
JobAndKnock said:
Recycled timber is an absolute nightmare to deal with as there are always embedded bits of metal to deal with (rusted ends of nails, etc which have broken off inside). Good luck finding anyone foolhardy enough to take the task on without first getting a large cash indemnity from you to cover the inevitable wrecked saw blades, planer knives and spindle cutters (BTW for the window boards, cills are on the outside) they will go through

TBH you would be better off doing your own sawing and buying a decent size planer/thicknesser to do the job yourself (with half a dozen spare cutters)

A word of caution about elm - as a timber it constantly moves with changes in the atmospheric moisture content, meaning that structures such as doors, staircases, etc made from it will always creak (which is why it was traditionally never used for fine work), although it is strong, withstands being soaked well and resists abrasion That is why, despite at one time being a plentiful species on the British countryside, it was often confined to being used for canal boat bottoms, decks on carts and barrows and coffins.
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Many thanks for advice and wise words. I've started de-nailing... It's a long term project for sure!
 
Ive been taking nails out of 400 year old Oak and find either they stretch and snap off below the surface or there is an oxide skin left behind, none of which does cutters much good.
 
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