The Assignment
Make a set of base cabinets to match the original douglas fir cabinets. As seen here. The cabinets are fir but refaced with a soon to be removed laminate. We found the doors being used as shelves in the closets. 
Bad Wood/ Good Wood
My carpenter found a source for reclaimed fir beams. They come from demolished turn of the century houses and have a great patina. Unfortunately they also look like they would eat your jointer alive. Fortunately I only paid about $200 bucks for 10 huge beams (6” x 4” x 12 ft on average)
Resaw
So I bought a resawish blade for the bandsaw and went to work. (Pulled a couple dozen nails first).
A few hours later and a couple dozen useable board feet of lumber appeared.Rough thickness averaged a hair over 4/4” Very worth the work and the price. 
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke."
6 comments so far
oscorner
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4563 posts in 5767 days
#1 posted 03-17-2007 09:20 AM
Looks like a job well done. Another pass or two with a metal detector and maybe you can pass them on the jointer for finished boards.
-- Jesus is Lord!
MsDebbieP
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18619 posts in 5617 days
#2 posted 03-17-2007 11:30 AM
Such beautiful finds waiting to be discovered and re-used.
You must be “giddy” with excitement.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribele, Young Living Wellness )
rentman
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230 posts in 5551 days
#3 posted 03-17-2007 01:00 PM
Look how tite the growth rings are.Good find!
-- Phil, Chattanooga,TN
dennis mitchell
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3994 posts in 5770 days
#4 posted 03-17-2007 01:08 PM
I commend you for keeping the house in its original style, a little treasure.
gizmodyne
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1785 posts in 5546 days
#5 posted 03-25-2007 08:12 PM
Yes, but it is not easy or cheap to maintain.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke."
Beginningwoodworker
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13345 posts in 5129 days
#6 posted 08-13-2008 12:43 AM
Thats some nice fir.
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