Thread: which way to bow

You'll probably find it easiest to pull the centre in, and to do that before you mark the outer holes for bolts so the hole in the new and old remain aligned.
Also if you are laminating two pieces of timber together like this, and they are out in the weather, you should consider preventing rot which will start up between the two. You can cover the top with a waterproof membrane like bitumen flashing or you can separate the two with a gal washer or two on each of the bolts to allow airflow.

Cheers
Michael

Thanks for the advice, I have been using creosote on all exposed timber and end grains which is good for rot and pests apparently. The timber will be exposed so may take some additional measure to preserve it, cheers, M

like Mic said - two bits of timber bolted together out in the weather will be a problem long term and easiest solution might be throwing a washer between the two bits to give a small/un-noticeable gap for moisture

Painted on creosote is about as useful as spit - it needs to be really soaked in, by full immersion for a few days, immersion with heat (boiling) or preferably under heat & pressure.

The only paint on stuff which seems to work is the DIY CCA like they use for grade 5 treated pine - very poisonous but stops rot & termites.

Dirtgirl

Be wary of creosote. Firstly, it may work on the end grains as they tend to be more absorbent, but painting will be superficial at best as Bsrlee has already pointed out. The heated creosote works by a vacuum/ replacement effect. It is messy in the extreme and a little dangerous as the flashpoint is low!

But there is another far more insidous aspect to creosote. People commonly refer to the substance burning their skin. This is not strictly true, although I have no doubt the product is not good for you and it is much better to avoid contact with the skin.

When creosote or it's fumes contact your skin, it removes the natural protection to ultra violet light. Consequently half an hour under the sun's rays and you will have serious sunburn. I can speak from experience on this one. It was the people at Koppers Logs who explained to me what had happened. I remember one worker there (his face was blotchy from contact, mainly with the fumes) telling me he was quite unable to go out in direct sunlight.

Bear in mind it might not be successful as well and ask yourself if it is worth while.

Regards
Paul

thanks all for advice, will go with the washer idea, never crossed my mind to allow space for evaporation. Thanks bushmiller for creosote advice too, i have already had the stuff drippin off my elbows eventhough I wear gloves, painting above headheight gravity prevails. I am using it on old bearers and joist ends as we restump, seems to soak in well and I have resently resorted to spraying it on with garden sprayer. Haven't been in sun long enough to burn, but I presume it is not a permanent thing in regard to removing skin layer?:eek:

Originally Posted by dirtgirl

Thanks bushmiller for creosote advice too, i have already had the stuff drippin off my elbows eventhough I wear gloves, painting above headheight gravity prevails. I am using it on old bearers and joist ends as we restump, seems to soak in well and I have resently resorted to spraying it on with garden sprayer. Haven't been in sun long enough to burn, but I presume it is not a permanent thing in regard to removing skin layer?:eek:

Dirtgirl

No it is not permanent. I wouldn't like to say how long it takes for the potential effects to wear off. My own experience was that my trousers were drenched with creosote while at work. I should have changed them immediately but didn't. An hour later my boss brought me a change of clothes. The following day I was playing tennis and had to stop after half an hour because my thighs were burning up under the sun.

You may get away with contact on tougher skin, but with more sensitive areas beware.

Do not let the creosote drip off your elbows onto sensitve underarm skin etc.

Remember the fumes are just as bad. A chippy once told me the worst case of sunburn he got was from painting bearers with creosote. The fumes were rising and striking his bare chest while he was hunched over painting. As soon as he finished and stood up, the sun struck his chest and he was in big trouble shortly afterwards.

Stay safe

Regards
Paul

Drrtgirl

Just as an aside and nothing to do with creosote or bearers, I have only now taken note of your signature.

My father used to have a similar expression, which tickled me as a child although I didn't really know why

"Wine, women and song; Doesn't drink and no ear for music."

Regards
Paul

CN timber oil or CN timber emulsion by Kardon or protim are good (safe-well don't eat it) preservatives.

Cheers
Michael

hey mic d, do the treatments you recommend smell bad? Creosote takes lotsa soap n showers to remove only most of the stink. At least bushmillers dad got the women thing right

Its not just creosote that does it to your skin... its the solvents any petro based solvents exposed to your skin removes the natural oils that protect your skin, thus resulting in quick sunburn!

The CN oil has a low odour similar to motor oil. The main ingrdient is Copper Napthenate. Contact witht he skin should be avoided during application, but it is not as nasty as creosote. It's the phenols in creosote which give the nasty burn.


CHeers
Michael

well thanks guys, I will try something diff next time I purchase a preservative. I went for creosote because my dad swore by it. Happy to say the bearer is now straight, bolted it to the original which we bracketed back to other bearers at 90deg, all looking much much stronger!!! Poles are in, so tmoro the other bearer gets checked in, joists, decking and woohoo, sit back n relax by the pool. Had my first go at oxy cutting today, think I'm hooked)

Ya can't just tell us about it - post pics!!!