Some one is getting rid of 25 rail road ties on craigs list, assuming they are in good condition would the wood be good for surfboard construction?
That wood (the one used for rail-road ties) is very heavy… Besides, I think it’s impregnated with chemicals to protect it from moisture and insects.
Howzit balsa, I think one of those chemicals is creasote which is not epa friendly.Aloha,Kokua
Old railroad ties are usually redwood coated with tar. Newer ones are often fur, and always coated with creosote. Forget about them. Let somebody else get the ties and put them in their yard.
Quote:
Howzit balsa, I think one of those chemicals is creasote which is not epa friendly.Aloha,Kokua</blockquote></div>You’re right, Kokua, creosote is the one I knew was in there but couldn’t remember the name of. Thanks. Aloha.
Thats what I figured.
Cheers.
…free red wood dose sound good though.
Very good for any outdoor use (stairways and such). But I doubt that even King KAMEHAMEHA could have ridden a board made out of those…
Free is good but holy cow, those old ties are loaded with bits of gravel and other crap that will really tear up your woodworking tools. I’ve chewed up some chain saws cutting ties for landscape projects.
Here’s a tip for finding old growth redwood in Southern California. Make friends w/ the local garage door co. and / or fence contractors. Most of the old garage doors are still in good shape but the frames are sagging. They just throw them away, or like the co. here, we go through them and pick the cherry ones, and the rest go to Mexico.