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Re-purpose pressure treated wood from swingset?

1756 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Snipes, Apr 15, 2016

weathersfuori

Discussion Starter · Apr 14, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

First time poster, long time reader- many thanks for the experience offered on this site!

I have a bunch of 2×4s and 2×6s from an old swing set that I would like to re-purpose, if possible. I'm guessing this wood is 5-15 years old. It's green and gray on the outside, but looks pretty good once you get past that top layer.

Long story short, I responded to an ad on a local facebook page saying I could have this lumber for free if I took the swing set down, and there was also a pile of wood I could pick through (thought maybe there might be some useful cedar or something in there). Turns out the wood pile was useless, and I was about to say no to the swing set idea, but she mentioned she was recently divorced and really looked like she needed help getting this old swing set down and out of her yard. So, what's left of the swing set has been sitting in my garage now for the past month.

So, my question is, what can I do with it? Can I run it through my planer or across my jointer without harm? I would never put freshly bought PT wood through these, but wonder if it helps that these are clearly old boards and they have been drying in my garage for the past month. Ideally, I'd like to plane the boards to get the green/gray off of them and expose the clean wood underneath and maybe rip a couple of the 2×6s on the table saw. Is it worth it or do I need to just find a way to dispose of this stuff and chalk this whole thing up to a good deed done for a divorcee in distress.

Have any of you done any projects with re-purposed deck or fence boards or swing sets?

Thanks for any help!

Mike

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MadMark

· #2 · Apr 14, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

Green = CCA = sawdust is HAZMAT. Arsenic in the wood goes all thru, is not just a surface treatment & is still there 20yrs later (or it wouldn't have lasted 20 years).

Cleanup & dispose of the sawdust like HAZMAT & the wood itself is safe to work - but I wouldn't make a baby's rattle or cutting board from it.

M

HokieKen

· #3 · Apr 14, 2016

IMHO, better safe than sorry. Untreated construction grade wood is cheap. I'd use it for something outside but not anything indoors and I wouldn't create any more dust with it than I had to. And, I'd wear a respirator while doing it.

weathersfuori

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 14, 2016

Well shucks… no cutting boards? Really??

I guess I am more asking what I CAN do with it vs. what I can't. Basically if you had a pile of PT 2×4s and 2×6s that you HAD to do something with… what would you make?

I'm thinking either something that stays outside, or possibly a hanging shelf. Just looking for some ideas so I don't feel like acquiring this wood was a complete waste of time.

Thanks!

weathersfuori

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 14, 2016

Thanks, Kenny- That's the spot I'm in at this point. My original idea was to use it for these very basic hanging shelves I build, but that's as far as I'd be willing to go with them in terms of exposure to people. Usually these end up in peoples' bathrooms, but I'm still a little wary especially if I'm selling them. They only require a couple cross cuts and I could do this in my driveway.

I know the dust is harmful, but with the boards dried out, would the wood itself be harmful to a planer? Wheeling the dust collector out of the garage and into the driveway along with the planer and masking up? Just testing the waters with that question… I know it's one of those "weeeelllll, probably not the best idea, but…" kind of questions.

ste6168

· #6 · Apr 14, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

Thanks, Kenny- That s the spot I m in at this point. My original idea was to use it for these very basic hanging shelves I build, but that s as far as I d be willing to go with them in terms of exposure to people. Usually these end up in peoples bathrooms, but I m still a little wary especially if I m selling them. They only require a couple cross cuts and I could do this in my driveway.

I know the dust is harmful, but with the boards dried out, would the wood itself be harmful to a planer? Wheeling the dust collector out of the garage and into the driveway along with the planer and masking up? Just testing the waters with that question… I know it s one of those "weeeelllll, probably not the best idea, but…" kind of questions.

- weathersfuori

I have no desire to run PT wood through my equipment, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so. Then again, I am only 30, so call me young and dumb. I fail to see how a bath in some chemicals could cause harm to the tool. If it were wet/freshly treated PT wood, I would make sure to wipe down/remove any left over bits when done, even then, I wouldn't think twice about running it. I would probably wear a respirator, but I typically wear a respirator planing and sanding anyway.

Strictly talking damage to the tool, I think I would be more concerned with any remaining nails or rock fragments that may still be stuck in the wood from years of use as a playset. That would be much higher concern for me, than the fact it is PT lumber.

JohnDon

· #7 · Apr 14, 2016

The wood itself (and preservative) won't harm your planer, but with anything left outside, there's bound to be some grit that's gotten into the wood surface, which would dull and even chip your planer blades.

As for ideas, I'd stick to outdoor placement. Just some ideas off the top of my head: flower planter boxes (not for vegetables!); outdoor storage racks/shelves; hose caddy/box; compost tumbler frame.

If nothing else, just another reminder that no good deed goes unpunished!

splatman

· #8 · Apr 14, 2016

Another no vote against planing, jointing or sanding PT lumber. Save it for things that call for PT lumber: Flower boxes, outdoor furniture (besides tables or chairs), floor joists for a shed, or as repair materials for decks or any of the above.

HokieKen

· #9 · Apr 14, 2016

I know the dust is harmful, but with the boards dried out, would the wood itself be harmful to a planer? Wheeling the dust collector out of the garage and into the driveway along with the planer and masking up? Just testing the waters with that question… I know it s one of those "weeeelllll, probably not the best idea, but…" kind of questions.

- weathersfuori

My concern would be moisture but, if it's well dried, maybe no big deal. Definitely the mask though.

You could use it to build a gallows. Keep the neighborhood kids off your lawn ;>) Or, I see your in Texas, how about a tree-house that's an Alamo replica?

devann

· #10 · Apr 14, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

2

I'd use it to make an outdoor storage rack/shelf out of. I have one for wood I want to have that "seasoned look", cedar, redwood, etc… the wood needs to be stored outside to age and change color. There are projects where the distressed look is desirable. I have many on my page if you want to see examples.

Here's you a photo of how I went about building it…....

Wood Plant Tree Hardwood Grass

I started it with a pallet from a bundle of siding from my local lumber yard.

See less See more

Snipes

· #11 · Apr 15, 2016

Hazmat? really, seems a little over the top. works great for tree stand/ hunting blind.

MadMark

· #12 · Apr 15, 2016

Arsenic is not expelled from the body and when you exceed the lifetime dose you die. Sawdust is all endgrain and the CCA will rapidly leach out when wet - like in your nasal passages. Yes, this is HAZMAT just as lead in paint is.

M

chrisstef

· #13 · Apr 15, 2016

http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2824&q=378050

weathersfuori

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 15, 2016

Thank you everyone for the responses- some great ideas came up that I am going to look into, so I appreciate it. I'm definitely going to stick to an outdoor project and limit the amount of cutting I have to do, and having some of these project ideas makes me think I won't need to bother with any planing.

I'm leaning toward the gallows, but thinking maybe I should sleep on it!

Thanks again,
Mike

Snipes

· #15 · Apr 15, 2016

I think after approximately 2003 they went to acq.

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