The Hobbs brothers have been picking their way across the American
South, deconstructing century old barns and farmhouses, looking for a
rare treasure - old-growth pine lumber. These precious floorboards,
ceiling joists, and framing studs were cut from the very trees that
once dominated the Southern landscape. "As we reclaim this wood we're
reclaiming history, we're reclaiming memories, and in some small way,
if you think about it, we're reclaiming ourselves." -Matt Hobbs

http://player.vimeo.com/video/212140308

On Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 3:27:22 PM UTC-7, Spalted Walt wrote:
The Hobbs brothers have been picking their way across the American
South, deconstructing century old barns and farmhouses, looking for a
rare treasure - old-growth pine lumber. ..."As we reclaim this wood we're
reclaiming history,

It's sad, in a way. The original users of that wood, were finding treasure
growing in the ground, and harvesting it for their use. Now, to get
some of the same quality wood, it takes destruction of the old structures.

I saw a slightly-broken ugly old dining table the other day, with
a full 20" wide solid walnut board as one leaf. I've never seen that good
a board for sale.

On 4/13/2017 10:17 PM, whit3rd wrote:
On Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 3:27:22 PM UTC-7, Spalted Walt wrote:
The Hobbs brothers have been picking their way across the American
South, deconstructing century old barns and farmhouses, looking for a
rare treasure - old-growth pine lumber. ..."As we reclaim this wood we're
reclaiming history,

It's sad, in a way. The original users of that wood, were finding treasure
growing in the ground, and harvesting it for their use. Now, to get
some of the same quality wood, it takes destruction of the old structures.

I saw a slightly-broken ugly old dining table the other day, with
a full 20" wide solid walnut board as one leaf. I've never seen that good
a board for sale.


Unless you are talking strictly walnut, it is still possible to buy wide
boards. 20+ inches wide.
My local lumbar supplier has mahogany in wide sizes. And monthly I get
a news letter from a supplier that offers 30+ inches wide.

BUT I do not see a lot of North American boards that wide.

Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet writes:
On 4/13/2017 10:17 PM, whit3rd wrote:
On Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 3:27:22 PM UTC-7, Spalted Walt wrote:
The Hobbs brothers have been picking their way across the American
South, deconstructing century old barns and farmhouses, looking for a
rare treasure - old-growth pine lumber. ..."As we reclaim this wood we're
reclaiming history,

It's sad, in a way. The original users of that wood, were finding treasure
growing in the ground, and harvesting it for their use. Now, to get
some of the same quality wood, it takes destruction of the old structures.

I saw a slightly-broken ugly old dining table the other day, with
a full 20" wide solid walnut board as one leaf. I've never seen that good
a board for sale.


Unless you are talking strictly walnut, it is still possible to buy wide
boards. 20+ inches wide.

You can obtain (claro) walnut (up to 48"+ wide). Here are some 12/4 33-36" wide slabs:

http://www.bakerhardwoods.com/direct...7/IMG_0253.JPG

On Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 10:17:30 PM UTC-5, whit3rd wrote:
On Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 3:27:22 PM UTC-7, Spalted Walt wrote:
The Hobbs brothers have been picking their way across the American
South, deconstructing century old barns and farmhouses, looking for a
rare treasure - old-growth pine lumber. ..."As we reclaim this wood we're
reclaiming history,

It's sad, in a way. The original users of that wood, were finding treasure
growing in the ground, and harvesting it for their use. Now, to get
some of the same quality wood, it takes destruction of the old structures..

I saw a slightly-broken ugly old dining table the other day, with
a full 20" wide solid walnut board as one leaf. I've never seen that good
a board for sale.

Twenty inch wide walnut is readily available, either newly sawn or salvaged boards. True, there are fewer old trees available to be newly sawn. I'd think most old walnut wasn't sawn into thick boards, 2" and greater, so finding thick slabs, for reclaiming, is not as prevalent as thinner boards.

As to the Hobbs brothers, I've never heard of them, as to being renowned salvagers, as some of the videos seem to profess. I'm not so impressed with them, at least thus far, though recycling is a noble venture. Listening to their speaking, they seem to have just stumbled onto the idea that reclaiming old lumber is something they, only, have discovered and are, now, introducing their discovery to everyone else, as if other folks don't know about it. Maybe it's just the folks in the Athens area that's been out of touch, that way. Some of their comments, about reclaiming old lumber, seem to be said as if "prophetic". Folks who buy into that "prophecy" are out of touch, also. Many salvagers have this or similar ideas/reasons for their salvaging old lumber, as well as strictly business reasons.

I've viewed several videos, regarding them and their business, and they are boring as heck. There's some reference to their, maybe, having a TV show, showcasing their work.... *seems Ridgid may be behind this effort. If the (subsequent) show is as boring as they are, in the videos, folks will loose interest, fast, if interest is developed, at all. The videos don't inspire me to look forward to viewing a, likewise(?), TV show.

Also, I haven't seen any hint of details of the projects they make. I've seen the finished product, in the various videos, and I'm not too impressed with their construction, as for as I can surmise the construction. In one video, they state it takes a week to make a (simple, IMO) table. I think, each, the tables, I saw in the videos, should have taken 2 days (or less) to make. Sure, they're spending time collecting the lumber, but if they are in business, their work should be producing simple(?) projects faster, than what they state.

I'm just not that impressed with them, at least at this point.

Sonny

Sonny wrote:

On Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 10:17:30 PM UTC-5, whit3rd wrote:
On Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 3:27:22 PM UTC-7, Spalted Walt wrote:
The Hobbs brothers have been picking their way across the American
South, deconstructing century old barns and farmhouses, looking for a
rare treasure - old-growth pine lumber. ..."As we reclaim this wood we're
reclaiming history,

It's sad, in a way. The original users of that wood, were finding treasure
growing in the ground, and harvesting it for their use. Now, to get
some of the same quality wood, it takes destruction of the old structures.

I saw a slightly-broken ugly old dining table the other day, with
a full 20" wide solid walnut board as one leaf. I've never seen that good
a board for sale.

Twenty inch wide walnut is readily available, either newly sawn or
salvaged boards. True, there are fewer old trees available to be
newly sawn. I'd think most old walnut wasn't sawn into thick
boards, 2" and greater, so finding thick slabs, for reclaiming, is
not as prevalent as thinner boards.

As to the Hobbs brothers, I've never heard of them, as to being
renowned salvagers, as some of the videos seem to profess. I'm not
so impressed with them, at least thus far, though recycling is a
noble venture. Listening to their speaking, they seem to have just
stumbled onto the idea that reclaiming old lumber is something they,
only, have discovered and are, now, introducing their discovery to
everyone else, as if other folks don't know about it. Maybe it's
just the folks in the Athens area that's been out of touch, that way.
Some of their comments, about reclaiming old lumber, seem to be said
as if "prophetic". Folks who buy into that "prophecy" are out of
touch, also. Many salvagers have this or similar ideas/reasons for
their salvaging old lumber, as well as strictly business reasons.

I've viewed several videos, regarding them and their business, and
they are boring as heck. There's some reference to their, maybe,
having a TV show, showcasing their work.... *seems Ridgid may be
behind this effort. If the (subsequent) show is as boring as they
are, in the videos, folks will loose interest, fast, if interest is
developed, at all. The videos don't inspire me to look forward to
viewing a, likewise(?), TV show.

Also, I haven't seen any hint of details of the projects they make.
I've seen the finished product, in the various videos, and I'm not
too impressed with their construction, as for as I can surmise the
construction. In one video, they state it takes a week to make a
(simple, IMO) table. I think, each, the tables, I saw in the
videos, should have taken 2 days (or less) to make. Sure, they're
spending time collecting the lumber, but if they are in business,
their work should be producing simple(?) projects faster, than what
they state.

I'm just not that impressed with them, at least at this point.

Sonny

Perhaps it's more about empowering people to get outside, reconnect
with their hands and nature, and in doing so, embark on a life of
great adventure. Like the folks at ReMade.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/70266394

http://remadeco.org/story.shtml

On 04/14/2017 8:08 AM, Sonny wrote:
On Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 10:17:30 PM UTC-5, whit3rd wrote:
On Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 3:27:22 PM UTC-7, Spalted Walt wrote:
....
... deconstructing century old barns and farmhouses, looking for a
rare treasure - old-growth pine lumber. ...

It's sad, in a way. The original users of that wood, were finding treasure
growing in the ground, and harvesting it for their use. Now, to get
some of the same quality wood, it takes destruction of the old structures.

I saw a slightly-broken ugly old dining table the other day, with
a full 20" wide solid walnut board as one leaf. I've never seen that good
a board for sale.

A bud and mine were scouring rural Piedmont VA area in the late '70s and
early '80s for either stashed and long-forgotten or unused lumber sawn
and stored for the time "got a round tuit" that so often never comes.
We found all kinds of hardwoods as well as much pine, some of which was
just truly gorgeous stuff...walnut was quite common, less so cherry and
the occasional chestnut log.

Twenty inch wide walnut is readily available, either newly sawn or
salvaged boards. True, there are fewer old trees available to be newly
sawn. I'd think most old walnut wasn't sawn into thick boards, 2" and
greater, so finding thick slabs, for reclaiming, is not as prevalent as
thinner boards.
....

Back early on in colonial days and shortly after, walnut wasn't even
really considered much of a desirable cabinet wood...much was used for
structural timbers and even fence posts. We find that hard to imagine.

I'm sure I've told the story before of going to a reclaimed old
schoolhouse in Lynchburg, VA, that were salvaging instead of razing for
the specific purpose of getting a slate board for the kids playroom in
the basement. I had no intended use for all the beams, etc., etc., in
mind on going.

However, liking wood in general, wandered around through the stacks and
discovered virtually all the structural timber was walnut with a few
white and red oak tossed in here and there. Were as much as 24-ft, 4x12
to 2x16 roughsawn timbers there. I calculated something like 20,000
bdft altogether. The aforementioned friend was working thru Davis Paint
in downtown Lynchburg in a shop area Mr Davis had set up for him making
decoupage plaques were selling thru the store. I called him up and got
him to get one of the store semi's up there and Mr Davis bankrolled us
the $10,000 I'd offered...much of it was still in storage when I left
Lynchburg some 10 yr later for TN.

https://www.jamestdavis.com/davis-paint/ the new storefront; the old
store was downtown Lynchburg...

--

On 4/14/2017 10:01 AM, dpb wrote:
On 04/14/2017 8:08 AM, Sonny wrote:
On Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 10:17:30 PM UTC-5, whit3rd wrote:
On Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 3:27:22 PM UTC-7, Spalted Walt wrote:
...
... deconstructing century old barns and farmhouses, looking for a
rare treasure - old-growth pine lumber. ...

It's sad, in a way. The original users of that wood, were finding
treasure
growing in the ground, and harvesting it for their use. Now, to get
some of the same quality wood, it takes destruction of the old
structures.

I saw a slightly-broken ugly old dining table the other day, with
a full 20" wide solid walnut board as one leaf. I've never seen
that good
a board for sale.

A bud and mine were scouring rural Piedmont VA area in the late '70s and
early '80s for either stashed and long-forgotten or unused lumber sawn
and stored for the time "got a round tuit" that so often never comes. We
found all kinds of hardwoods as well as much pine, some of which was
just truly gorgeous stuff...walnut was quite common, less so cherry and
the occasional chestnut log.

Twenty inch wide walnut is readily available, either newly sawn or
salvaged boards. True, there are fewer old trees available to be newly
sawn. I'd think most old walnut wasn't sawn into thick boards, 2" and
greater, so finding thick slabs, for reclaiming, is not as prevalent as
thinner boards.
...

Back early on in colonial days and shortly after, walnut wasn't even
really considered much of a desirable cabinet wood...much was used for
structural timbers and even fence posts. We find that hard to imagine.

Almost 10 years ago Swingman and I and our wives visited his wife's aunt
and uncle. He turned us on to a country guy that IIRC filled my tuck
bed with walnut fence posts. IIRC $4 each. I still have a ton of that
stuff and it is gorgeous.

I always have to remember that not everyone's interests are the same as mine when I see those shows. Having been in the trades for almost 45 years, I have to grit my teeth when I see home improvement shows, remodeling shows, house flipping shows, and even Mr. Silva. I have watched him do things like retro installing a skylight that is completely wrong. A quick call to the state/local roofers association would have led him to completely different procedures, starting with his choice of adhesives.

Anyway, I think TV shows like the Hobbs guys are made to have broad appeal, and even if they actually knew about old timber reclamation the show would be much more inviting if the average viewer went on a journey of discovery with them rather than to have someone snort their derision by saying they had known about reclamation for years.

I miss seeing that old wood and rarely do anymore. At one time when I was doing some work in the nearby OLD towns, I would tear into walls and ceilings and find beautiful Douglas Fir, chosen and milled because it was so straight. As a young man, I couldn't identify that stuff because the grain was so tight and close and the lack of knots threw me off. But when it was cut, some of it still had that wonderful pine perfume, almost 100 years later..

I worked on homes that had some kind of hard yellow pine for flooring (there are a couple that were harvested here in Texas that were favored for flooring) that folks covered with carpet. As the neighborhoods changed and the old folks moved out, the flooring was revealed, and in many cases the flooring was sanded, lightly stained, and finished. I found it odd as the upscale houses I worked in had white oak flooring, not pine. An old timer that was in his 80s in the 70s told me that the SYP was hard and durable, and wore as well as the oak, but was less than half the price. So SYP was used for flooring, it was that hard.

To bear that out, there are a couple of old, old saloons around here that have SYP flooring installed in the late 1890 and turn of the century. Same with a few old "restored" churches. As old as it is, it is wearing fine. That kind of old growth, super hard pine simply hasn't been available for years.

I have tried to figure out how to reclaim any kind of wood from my remodels/repairs that have the old growth stuff used as part of the build, but those old houses were usually so overbuilt that they have too many nail holes to be of any value. When I was building water bed frames to help my income a few decades ago, I learned that a few nail holes are charming. Too many, and the project looks like it was made from damaged crating.

Robert

On Wed, 12 Apr 2017 22:27:16 +0000
Spalted Walt wrote:

The Hobbs brothers have been picking their way across the American
South, deconstructing century old barns and farmhouses, looking for a

what do they do with the wood

that is the real measure of their deed

and as other posts say it is not some new original idea


but this seems to be a common theme across many endeavors with those
younger that have no idea of what has come before

so many things redone that have already been done and even considered
obsolete are now considered amazing and ground breaking