Black Locust Beams

[Thomas Cook]

I was hoping somebody on here may be familiar with Black Locust as I've yet to use any in my woodworking.

I received a call today from a local salvage company I buy from a lot. Asked me if I wanted to buy a bridge

They have 98 boards, 6" wide, 4" thick and just over 10' long of Black Locust. I ran down to take a look and they are all mostly in great shape with no holes or rot, not much checking and they are all pretty straight. From what I read that is the issue and why it's not used so much.

Anyone run any on their CNC and have another wood that compares? I can get it at a great price and if it will hold detail I'll find some place to store it.

Thanks!

[steve_g]

Thomas…
No personal experience, in fact I’ve never even heard of it! Searching the web makes it sound like it’s God’s gift to humanity though! Apparently after drying, it machines beautifully… if the price is right, I’d snatch it up!
SG
http://www.wood-database.com/black-locust/
http://www.ablacklocustconnection.co...pShipClose.jpg

[Ajcoholic]

Ive used a little bit of black locust. I made a set of bow limbs from it, for a take down recurve bow.

It is yellow in colour, with a look somewhat like elm or ash but not as pronounced grain. It is increadibly tough and hard. Also, very resistant to decay. It machined and sanded fine - probably dense like white oak or hickory. I think I have a small piece left in the shop.

[Thomas Cook]

Thank you both for the your experience and the links. I'm going to run down tomorrow and get a few beams. Not sure I can handle all 98 but it may be worth investing into a good bandsaw to resaw it down to 1" thick boards that are a little more manageable.

I talked to an Amish friend I have this afternoon and he was very interested in whatever I didn't use. May be able to work a deal to get it resawed in their mill for some beams.

[Thomas Cook]

Well they gave me a deal I couldn't pass up so I have 98 of these beams to pick up this week. Here's my wife with half of them. They said they were decking for a covered bridge and when they went to replace the new boards did not match the weathered ones so they ended up replacing all of them.

FullSizeRender-704901.jpg

FullSizeRender-703289.jpg

She was pretty excited when she saw them as she has big plans for some raise beds this fall for veggies next year. Says she's not ready to share any yet. Wants some tables made out of it too so looks like I'll keep busy this winter.

[Burkhardt]

Looks like a good deal (not knowing what you paid). You may want to consider selling some of that on eBay. There is some demand for Locust turning blanks. The weathered condition may add to the value?

[scottp55]

Thomas, Try to get as much info on which covered bridge, as history of repurposed timber is beginning to catch on and it can be a selling point.
The Landing Boat School in town;
http://www.landingschool.edu/
Is just beginning to look at more renewable local woods, one of which is Black Locust, but they're having problems sourcing a reliable local supplier of timbers and planking.
They gave Dad a chunk of it for me to play with, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
You may want to surface a chunk and finish it so your wife can see it, before it's all raised beds
Could be good for 3D's?
scott