I'll disagree...inasmuch as the "old" treated lumber was used for years
without any adverse health effects that I have ever seen documented, it only
lost favor because of our EPA stepping in with their typical
"chicken-little" thing...check with the southern yellow-pine association
web-site if you want more info on the debate...

....mill it as you please but wash your hands a lot...and just a good rule,
apply a good coating of something on any surface that could possibly come
into contact with body parts, food or drink.

Moved into a house with a deck that had 20' 2x6 deck boards that were not
properly maintained. Not rotten, but "punky" at the top 1/8" or so and the
thought of sinking all the nails and sanding down to good wood was not
appealing. I tore it off (and replaced with CCA decking boards!!!...I like
the look and feel of that 5/4 rounded edge stuff).

Hating to see the old stuff hauled to the landfill, I milled some to make
garden benches...planed, jointed and edge glue-up (with biscuits) using
Elmer's interior/exterior, followed by a nice round-over with the router.
Nothing that produced "fine" dust, rather all rather big chips/shavings.
They came out very nice but were allowed to dry in the shop for a few days
when the humidity was low and then got a coat of good quality latex house
paint before they were moved outside. No sign of checking/warping after two
years now and the edge glue is holding up perfectly.

Contrast that success to the same wood used for a mission style cocktail
table, same construction for the top with biscuits etc. but moved into the
elements immediately after it was done with no paint or protection. A few
days (and I mean days, not weeks or months) in the rain and sun will make
you sea-sick looking at the top. Guess there was still enough moisture in
there after 15 years that only became a factor after milling and not being
fastened 16" OC to 2x8 joists. Lucky for me I oversized the top and can
make it work.

Good luck

"Mark L." wrote in message
. ..
Considering the (relatively) low cost of the new PT that comes without
arsenic, I would take a pass on the wood altogether. Milling the old
stock will make a hell of a lot of dust containing arsenic. Just not
worth it, but I'm sure others will disagree.... Mark L.

wrote:

My neighbor is replacing his deck top with composite, and just
finished removing all the lumber from the prior deck top. He's got no
plans for it, and, actually, doesn't know how to dispose of it. Seems
to me, it'd serve well for some outdoor furniture. It's about 10 years
old, but he took good care of it, so it's already pretty flat and
straight. It's got a red stain on the top side I'm not fond of, but I
figure I need to mill it square and flat anyway.

Any special considerations?

What about edge gluing pressure treated lumber? I've got plans for a
chaise lounge that requires a couple 7 1/2 boards, but I don't think
he's got any that wide. I could glue them up, but worry about
longevity of such a joint outside.

What about finishing? I'd like to put a long lasting finish on it. I'm
thinking spar varnish, but am anxious to hear other's opinion.s

TIA, as always.