Redgum Sleepers

**ChrisA** · 14th October 2010, 11:10 AM

Hello,

Long time lurker around these forums, and first time poster.
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I have just taken delivery of some redgum sleepers. On the sleepers are some black marks/streaks on the sides. The ends are coated with it more consistently. Its almost like a soft rubbery consistency. I asked the landcape supplier and they said its probably just from the saw?
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Does that sound right? Is it some compound/lubricant something they use to help cut the wood?
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It appears to scrap off ok with a knife/ screw driver. I am thinking about sanding those black areas to get it off because I will eventually be treating the wood and dont want th treatment over those unsightly black parts.Can anybody recommend a sandpaper grade suitable for this purpose without causing any damage to the redgum?
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Thanks
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Chris

**InterTD6** · 14th October 2010, 09:46 PM

It could be just the tannic acid in the timber reacting with any steel it touches, eg the saw blade or forklift tines.
regards inter

**Eldanos of KDM** · 14th October 2010, 11:53 PM

InterTD6 is right, and if it's anything like my local mill it could be grease.. I wouldn't worry about it too much, you could pour thin black ink on redgum and it would only penetrate a mm or two max as it's generally very dense timber; so If you plan to use it for furniture or something (which I doubt seeing as you are planning on treating it [questionmark]) you'll probably be planing it down in the future anyway which would cut that out. If you are planning to use it for garden sleepers then don't lose sleep over it mate...

**chippinaway** · 16th October 2010, 02:56 AM

What are you using them for?
I wouldn't worry too much about sandpaper if you're just throwing them in the garden.
If you're using them for a feature or something get some rough sandpaper around 80 and then work your way into something finer like a 120 grit.
All depends how rough the timber is now and how smooth you want a finish.
If it's really rough sawn get some very course paper and a beltsander. If it's pretty smooth you can start with something finer.

**weisyboy** · 17th October 2010, 08:58 PM

i would say its grease of something off whatever machinery was used to move it.

or something that was spilled on it.

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