"Joe" wrote in message
...
On Aug 7, 11:44 pm, "Steve B" wrote:
I want to get some 4 x 12 beams for a pergola. I have four, IIRC, down in
Vegas, about 12 to 16 feet long, square on the ends. They are about ten to
twenty years old, and straight as day one.

Are they pine? Fir? What was used for external wood back then? If I was
to go buy some stuff today, what would I ask for? Really, I think I'll put
an ad on Craigslist for old wood, and just use stuff that is old that has
kept straight. Guides for identifying wood would be helpful.

It seems that this old wood is fairly dense (heavy). Just going to band
saw
it on the ends, or carve it.

Why don't you call your power company and buy some used poles from
them, saw off the treated part you don't want and take them to a
sawmill? That's been done successfully around here, I'm told, but I
can't verify. Cedar was common in our locale for power poles years
ago, so that may be why the possibility is valid.

Joe

That's a thought. I do have access to a lot of poles for free. I just have
to get a 12v. winch and go get them. I have four right now. They do make
nice durable pergolas.

Steve

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