This is a beam I just resawed for a project Im doing. Its going to be the shelf for a mantel.
This came out of a barn built in the 1650's I got it out of a demo pile. It didn't have a single saw mark on it. All axed square
all milled and ready for final size and finishing.
going to finish with waterlox satin.
i also have two more beams i salvaged from another old barn. this one from the 1700s. going to make a counter for this same job.
pics and progress to follow
no its pine.
the grain and color is beautiful and after almost 400 years of holding up a barn its hardenned up pretty good.
i wad amazed at how aromatic it was wwhen i cut it.
i have one face as well as almost 2 feet of beam left. gonna do something with it just not sure yet. thinking small table with a turned base.
if im brave enough to spin it lol
It is a shame that the hand hewed axe marks could not have been left and incorporated into the face of the mantle. That would have preserved some history and sparked stories of it's past.
Did you mill off the axe marks in a planer or did you resaw it off and save it. Just curious.
Rob