WEEKEND CRAFTS: DO YOU PREFER BUILDING FROM SCRATCH OR UPCYCLING OLD STUFF?
That’s a real concern. I’ve had some reclaimed beams that looked solid, but after a closer look (and a few knocks with a mallet), they were basically sawdust inside. I usually check for rot by poking around with an awl or screwdriver—if it sinks in easy, that’s a red flag. Sometimes I’ll sand a small patch to see what’s under the surface grime, too. Still, there’s always a bit of a gamble, especially with older wood. Ever tried using epoxy or wood hardener on questionable spots? I’ve had mixed luck with that, but it’s saved a few pieces from the scrap pile.
I usually check for rot by poking around with an awl or screwdriver—if it sinks in easy, that’s a red flag.
That’s exactly what I do too, especially with old barn wood. I’ve been burned before by pieces that looked gorgeous on the outside but were basically hollowed out by bugs. One time, I was halfway through sanding a mantel beam when my sander just punched right through the surface—turned out there was a whole network of tunnels inside.
I’ve tried wood hardener and epoxy as well, but honestly, I find it works best on smaller spots or decorative pieces. For anything structural or load-bearing, I get nervous relying on those fixes. Sometimes it feels like you’re just delaying the inevitable. That said, there’s something really satisfying about saving a piece that everyone else would toss. It adds character, even if it means living with a few imperfections.
Upcycling has its headaches, but when it works out, the results are way more interesting than anything built from new lumber. There’s just more story in the material... even if sometimes that story is “surprise! termites.”
Sometimes it feels like you’re just delaying the inevitable. That said, there’s something really satisfying about saving a piece that everyone else would toss.
You nailed it—there’s a thrill in pulling something back from the brink, but I can’t help feeling a bit skeptical about patching up structural stuff with epoxy. Maybe it’s the control freak in me, but I lean toward building from scratch if I know it needs to hold weight or last a generation. That said, I’ve definitely been seduced by gnarly old beams... until the “surprise! termites” moment hits. It’s always a gamble.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. There’s a certain pride in reviving something battered, but I’m with you—if it’s got to support weight or stand the test of time, I’d rather start fresh. Epoxy can be a lifesaver for cosmetic fixes, but for anything structural, it feels like a shortcut I’ll regret later. Still, every now and then I’ll see some old timber with character and think, “Maybe just this once…” Then I remember the time I found powderpost beetles in a reclaimed mantel. Lesson learned, but the temptation’s always there.
TITLE: Building New vs. Upcycling: The Eternal Struggle
That powderpost beetle story hits a little too close to home. I’ve had my own run-ins with “character” wood that turned out to be more trouble than it was worth—once spent hours sanding down an old barn beam, only to realize halfway through that it was riddled with soft spots and old nail holes I couldn’t see at first. Ended up scrapping most of it, which was a tough pill to swallow after all that effort.
I get the appeal, though. There’s something satisfying about giving new life to old materials, especially when you can see the history in the grain or the patina. But when it comes to anything that needs to actually hold up—like a load-bearing shelf or a bench—I’m with you. I’d rather trust new lumber and my own joinery than hope some hidden flaw doesn’t come back to haunt me. Epoxy’s great for filling cracks or making something look pretty, but it’s not a magic fix for structural issues. I’ve seen too many “restored” pieces fail under real use.
Still, every time I walk past the salvage yard, I have to fight the urge to drag home some gnarly old timber and try again. Maybe it’s just the challenge of making something work that shouldn’t, or maybe it’s nostalgia for the way things used to be built. Either way, I think there’s room for both approaches—just depends on what you’re after. If it’s a showpiece or something decorative, upcycling can be awesome. If it’s got to last, sometimes you just have to start from scratch and save yourself the headache.
Funny how the temptation never really goes away, though...
