Thread: removing big rustry nasty nails / bolts from big ironbark wharf timber

I had a 86 cm long (300 x 300mm) lump of ironbark sitting in the back yard. I thought I would put it through the bandsaw with the woodmaster blade (the blade is 25mm wide, I got it from henrybros). I haven't used the saw much since I got it (spending too much time getting the bolts out). I thought maybe the saw would struggle or bog down putting through a 12 inch piece of very old dry ironbark.

the hammer cut through it very easily. I was a bit shocked how easy. this one is red ironbark.

Originally Posted by cowenan

I had a 86 cm long (300 x 300mm) lump of ironbark sitting in the back yard. ... this one is red ironbark.

1. There seems to be a gypsy hiding in your garden

2. Please give us the wet-look photo to fully appreciate that great-looking grain.

Cheers,
Paul

Well done on the core drilling. What's next? Sorry could not help myself.

finally I have finished extracting the bolts!!!

I've found this thread both funny and sad... as well as informative.

Funny - in the amount of tools and jigs/techniques tried/used to get out the bolts.
Sad - in that big Ironbark timbers are so rare/expensive that going to all this effort and expense on old bridge/pier timbers is actually worth it. (I remember family members cutting down huge ironbarks to use as fencing strainers and for slab sides for the cattle dip.

I've enjoyed this thread and look forward to seeing how the beams look when DJ cuts them down and after you sand/finish.

Big on your efforts and I hope the end result is as good as ironbark can be.

Also.... you've scored a core drill and welder out of the experience. Cool tools.

plans and permits are underway to move forward on building the rear verandah with the posts.

was down at the epicurean in red hill during the week and have decided on a different route for finishing the timber. instead of cutting these back to 250 x 250, they wire brushed, planned and sanded the timber which was used as posts and beam throughout the restaurant and it looks amazing.

retains more of the bulk (300 x 300) and also the history and character of the timber while still reviving the colour

today I wire brushed, planned and ran the belt sander over one of the posts. this was 6 metres, but I have removed 1.1 to 1.2 off each end (it was split - worse condition of the 6). its now 3.7metres, but the final size will be 2.8 metres (they will be sitting in custom made T blade which will be on concrete pads). the off cuts wont go to waste I plan on making a wicked outdoor table (running the table top width ways)

wire brushing done with a 125mm knotted cup on a 230mm bosch sander. awesome and very little vibrations (6500rpm). my 5 inch ozito at 10,500 felt like I was spining a brick on the end.
I then used the largest planer I could find (1050w dewalt) over all 4 sides. 2mm, then 1.5mm then 0.5mm. then ran belt sander to remove any lines. I will do some more work on smoothing the corners once the posts are cut to final size

I have posted pics wet and dry so u can see the wonderfull colour.

4 posts will go across an 8 metre area. they will be about 2.8m to 3 high (ground slopes). then 2 will be cut to 4 metre lengths and will sit across the top of the posts as the feature beam. rafters will then run across this.

im not sure if I will cut fork joints into the posts and beams and bolt through, or may need to get some 10mm plate cute to size and bolt through each post and beam for support. waiting for the engineers report. have managed to cut the post quite neatly using a 270mm Makita circular saw around all 4 sides then a handsaw to cut the 100 x 100 mm centre.

will be fun getting the 4 metre beam on top of the posts!

Little bit late to the party, but I had a thought as I was scanning through this thread.
i wonder if blackstrap molasses thinned out with vinegar was poured over the offending spikes and wrapped with cling wrap for a week or so
would release the bind the spikes have?
Blackstrap is a good ol' method many car restorers use to dissolve rust and leaves steel and cast iron nice 'n shiny.

hi all
long time between updates

the attached pics tell a thousand words

those old iron bark posts, the bolts all removed, planned down 5mm on all sides and cut to size put in place

they have bee seated in 300mm T-Stirrups. was fun trying to line up the bolt holes

I will take some more pics tomorrow as the roof, ceiling and side walls are now all on and the posts have been sanded with the festool 150/5 and have a coat of oil on them

also I built the deck out around the posts which looks sweet, and have pool glass panels in between now.

they do look spectacular and worth every bit of effort

definitely a big talking point

best thing is I have heaps left over so looking forward to making a table out of the timber

And this thread and project has been precisely nine months in gestation !

Great job, great result and great fortitude.

I just love it when something really works out well.


Fair Winds


Graeme

here are some more pics of the wharf timbers with the spotted gum decking finished around the base.

they have cudek oil on them

cheers