Thread: Redgum sleepers

Originally Posted by Redgy

I have a couple of sleepers (2.4 X 200 X 100) left over from our landscaping about 2 years back. Just wondering how dry they normally are when new & how dry they might be now. I thought I might resaw them into usable size as I have no use for them as sleepers. Any thoughts?

I buy the same size garden sleepers in River Redgum for use in my "colonial style" furniture. They tend to have a lot of resinous cavities and other less desirable features, but I've found that they also have some lovely figuring which more than makes up for it. And the price is right.

DO run a metal detector over 'em before ripping, even if they're brand new. The timber used for these sleepers is seconds, after all... and by the same token give 'em a good eyeball for gravel, etc. wedged into any surface cracks. You don't want to find 'em with a nice sharp blade whizzing around at high speed. :eek:

Sadly, I'm damned sure the closest they come to a kiln is maybe being stacked in the same yard. I treat new 'uns as though they were green, end-sealing and racking 'em for a few years. Personally, I leave a few sleepers untouched for turning, etc. where the thickness is needed and these need 5 years to fully dry. Some I'll rip in half (2.4x100x100) and these take 3 years. Others I'll rip into quarters (2.4x100x50) which take 2 years to dry.

These figures are for my rack, which is in my shed here in SE Vic. Timber exposed to weather or in warmer climes will dry at a different rate. But the rule of thumb is 1 year for every inch of thickness, plus a year. In practice you'll find that an MC probe (timber moisture meter) is damned good value, 'cos it'll let you know exactly when the wood is ready instead of waiting the full guesstimated time. BTW, some timbers will never fully dry out unless slabbed thinly or run thru a kiln (crapiata's a good example) but Rivergum is OK.

Good luck!

Sleepers are cut green and sold green. They are almost dripping when put on the truck at the mill.

Thanks for the info.
I think I'll saw it into 25 X 100's & maybe make a couple of planter boxes for SWMBO....or have a small bonfire

Reg