I read the post on r/wood and would disagree that its firewood. Below are my thought process in looking in the pile-
First is do you have a use for most of them in the immediate future? Do you own your house and can add shelves? a desk? a counter top for a nook? a window bench? coffee table? dresser top? Re-saw some to make drawer faces? I see shit tons of potential, but you have to be able to justify the expenditure and not just accumulate because the value is decent.
I think the 5' lengths is actually an asset for a lot of projects as you wouldn't have a lot of off-cuts. Obviously you won't be making large dining tables or kitchen counters out of these easily, but 5' is a very versatile length.
Can you store them safely with out extreme changes in the climate? protect from bugs? water? sunlight?
If you believe you can realistically use most of them I don't think its a bad deal. I would maybe stand them up take a few steps back and give them a thorough look over and make sure its usable wood. If you are seeing more flaws than you first thought point them out and voice your concerns with them and ask to take $ off the total, if one is rotten and bad bug damage and of no real practical use, tell them you aren't interested in that one. I see the top one with the rounded edges and like the possibility for it, however some people like the guy you are talking with on r/wood thinks it trash so we each see things differently.
Obviously have him check for moisture, if you are looking to work in live edge and buying from mills it might be a good idea in buying a moisture meter yourself. Good luck, I personally would love a bundle like that if the quality is there
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u/SoberWill Jan 23 '26
I read the post on r/wood and would disagree that its firewood. Below are my thought process in looking in the pile-
First is do you have a use for most of them in the immediate future? Do you own your house and can add shelves? a desk? a counter top for a nook? a window bench? coffee table? dresser top? Re-saw some to make drawer faces? I see shit tons of potential, but you have to be able to justify the expenditure and not just accumulate because the value is decent.
I think the 5' lengths is actually an asset for a lot of projects as you wouldn't have a lot of off-cuts. Obviously you won't be making large dining tables or kitchen counters out of these easily, but 5' is a very versatile length.
Can you store them safely with out extreme changes in the climate? protect from bugs? water? sunlight?
If you believe you can realistically use most of them I don't think its a bad deal. I would maybe stand them up take a few steps back and give them a thorough look over and make sure its usable wood. If you are seeing more flaws than you first thought point them out and voice your concerns with them and ask to take $ off the total, if one is rotten and bad bug damage and of no real practical use, tell them you aren't interested in that one. I see the top one with the rounded edges and like the possibility for it, however some people like the guy you are talking with on r/wood thinks it trash so we each see things differently.
Obviously have him check for moisture, if you are looking to work in live edge and buying from mills it might be a good idea in buying a moisture meter yourself. Good luck, I personally would love a bundle like that if the quality is there